New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins were let go on Monday, following the team’s 6-11 season.
Coach Brian Daboll announced the dismissals of McGaughey and Johnson at the start of his postseason news conference. The Wilkins brothers were dismissed later on Monday.
What You Need To Know
- New York Giants special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey, offensive line coach Bobby Johnson, outside linebackers coach Drew Wilkins, and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins have been fired.
- Coach Brian Daboll announced his decision to dismiss McGaughey and Johnson at the start of a postseason news conference, and the Wilkins brothers were fired later Monday.
- Daboll said offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale would be back next season, but multiple media outlets reported later Monday that Martindale has resigned to pursue other interests.
- The moves were not surprising after the Giants finished 6-11 a year after making the playoffs.
Daboll stated that offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Wink Martindale would return next season. However, multiple media outlets later reported that Martindale had resigned to pursue other interests.
General manager Joe Schoen mentioned in a text message to The Associated Press that he had not heard from Martindale. Daboll did not return a phone call from The AP.
Running backs coach Jeff Nixon is leaving to become the offensive coordinator at Syracuse. Daboll mentioned that Nixon wants to become a college head coach.
The moves did not come as a surprise. The Giants faced a rocky start after making the playoffs, with a high expectation season, and a game against Dallas that resulted in a 40-0 loss.
McGaughey led the Giants’ special teams for six seasons and had a year left on his contract. New York allowed a league-high 85 sacks, leading to Johnson’s dismissal despite a string of injuries.
The Giants’ defense was the team’s top unit, and Drew Wilkins coached edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux to lead the team with 11 1/2 sacks.
Schoen has work to do in the offseason with 24 unrestricted free agents, including several key players.
One positive from the 6-11 record is that it will allow the Giants to pick sixth in the upcoming draft. Schoen stated that the Giants will consider a quarterback in the first round.
Daniel Jones expressed his confidence and hopes to be ready to play at the start of the training camp despite his ACL surgery.