It turns out there will be some changes for Brian Daboll and his NY Giants staff after all. While a lot of people had been focusing on offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and quarterbacks coach Shea Tierney, there were some other candidates for jobs potentially ready to move on.
Such is the case for running backs coach DeAndre Smith. According to NY insider Pat Leonard, new Colts head coach Shane Steichen has hired Smith to the same position over in Indianapolis. This feels like a bit of a blow for Daboll and Co.
News: Giants running backs coach DeAndre Smith is leaving the team to join Shane Steichen’s Indianapolis Colts staff, according to a source. Steichen & Smith worked on the same UNLV staff in 2009. Smith was the Rebels’ RBs coach. Steichen was an offensive graduate assistant.
— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) February 18, 2023
NY Giants running backs coach DeAndre Smith is leaving for the Indianapolis Colts
Smith is best known for his days in the college ranks. Before arriving to the Giants last winter, he had spent the previous three seasons with Texas Tech. With Smith running the ground game, the Giants were able to post 2,519 rushing yards during the regular season, which was good enough for fourth in the NFL.
Smith obviously worked closely with Saquon Barkley, who recorded his best campaign since his rookie year. In 2022, Barkley rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns. Daniel Jones also had his best season taking off and running, topping 700 yards and adding seven scores. The rushing attack as a whole was superb for the G-Men this past fall and winter.
As for Steichen, people all over NY certainly hate the fact that the former Eagles offensive coordinator has stuck it to the Giants and Daboll by stealing an assistant from Big Blue. Now, the search will be on for Daboll to find a suitable replacement to keep the running game looking strong for 2023.
Fortunately for Giants fans, Kafka isn’t going anywhere, as the offensive play-caller will look to build from what he was able to accomplish during his first year OC. With that said, losing Smith like this will surely sting – but we’ll see who Daboll turns to next for the job.
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