NY Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham will likely be a hot commodity on the NFL head coach interview circuit this offseason
For the second consecutive season, NY Giants defensive coordinator Patrick Graham remains a rising head coaching candidate across the NFL.
Graham, who was mentioned as a candidate for the Jets’ vacancy last winter, before pulling himself from consideration, is consistentially mentioned in conversations with NFL executives about possible candidates for jobs in this upcoming hiring cycle.
It seems that the national media coverage surrounding Graham’s candidacy is beginning to mirror the league’s perception of the Giants‘ defensive coordinator.
Graham was mentioned in NFL Network NFL Insider Tom Pelissero’s list of head coaching candidates to watch this offseason:
"Giants assistant HC/DC Patrick Graham, 42: The Jets requested an interview with Graham for their head-coaching job in January, but he declined and signed a contract extension with the Giants that made him one of the NFL’s highest-paid defensive coordinators. A one-time Yale defensive lineman, Graham is now in his 20th year coaching, with the past 13 being spent in the NFL (including a Super Bowl XLIX win with New England). He’s passionate, has high expectations and can be hard on players in a way that makes them love him more."
Over the past several weeks, Graham has certainly boosted his profile, and chances of landing a head coaching job.
The NY Giants have held four consecutive opponents, including the Kansas City Chiefs and AFC West-leading Las Vegas Raiders under 20 points, and Graham has turned rookies Azeez Ojulari and Quincy Roche into dominant pass-rushers off the edge, with the duo producing 6.5 sacks combined.
A vital member of NY Giants head coach Joe Judge’s staff, Graham’s experience as Assistant Head Coach is also likely attractive to teams in the market for a new head coach this upcoming offseason.
Expect Graham to be a hot commodity on the interview circuit in coming months.