New York Giants

Get to know Ben McAdoo, the 38-year-old head coach of the New York Giants.

Name: Ben McAdoo
Prior Experience:

  • Homer-Center HS (asst.) (1996–1997)
  • Indiana Area HS (PA) (asst.) (1998–1999)
  • Michigan State (GA) (2001)
  • Fairfield (OL/TE) (2002)
  • Pittsburgh (GA) (2003)
  • New Orleans Saints (offensive quality control) (2004)
  • San Francisco 49ers (OL/OQC) (2005)
  • Green Bay Packers (TE) (2006–2011)
  • Green Bay Packers (QB) (2012–2013)
  • New York Giants (OC) (2014–present)

Past Success:

  • Helped Fairfield University win the 2003 Continental Tire Bowl
  • Won Super Bowl XLV with the Green Bay Packers
  • Aaron Rodgers’ first quarterback coach
  • Eli Manning posted career numbers in first two seasons with McAdoo

Coaching Style: Per Raanan: “McAdoo may only be 38, but he carries himself as a seasoned authority figure. He’s serious and dedicated, yet still manages to come off as likable. Nobody questions his ability to handle a room. He’s regimented and militaristic, very much like Tom Coughlin. I like to say he’s Coughlin, except 30 years younger. That is how he carries himself. He can only hope to be as successful as a head coach.”

‘They said it:’

“I think our offense certainly improved. I think he’s proven himself to be a very good teacher, has a very good handle on our offense. I think he communicates very well. I think he shows some leadership skills. I think he has some good qualities.” –Giants co-owner John Mara

NJ.com’s Jordan Raanan did an excellent job compiling some of the terms that Giants players used to describe McAdoo:

“Gets along well with guys.”

“Good teacher.”

“Innovative.”

“Has leadership qualities.”

“Can control the team”

“Great guy.”

“Winner.”

“Puts in the work.”

“Assertive.”

“Knows how to relay a message.”

“Knows how to control the room.”

“Never flinches. Never blinks.”

“Approachable.”

4 Questions from Twitter:

1. Who will become the offensive coordinator?

That’s a good question! Likely one of the team’s assistant coaches. Mike Sullivan, who is currently the team’s quarterback coach, has spent thirteen seasons in the NFL and was Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator from 2012-13. Sean Ryan, the team’s wide receiver coach, has been with the team since 2007 and was a Special Teams Coordinator for Columbia University in 2003. Other candidates would probably include offensive line coach Pat Flaherty (who’s never been a coordinator but is likely the best line coach in the buisness) and external options such as Doug Marrone and Joe Philbin?

Update: The Giants seem likely to hire Philbin, who was Miami’s head coach before his in-season firing.

2. Is McAdoo really that great?

Well, McAdoo is perceived by many to be one of the hottest young coaches in the league, while in two seasons with Big Blue, his offenses have ranked fourth in TD passes and ninth in PPG. He preaches discipline and can control a locker room — and will provide Eli with the stability he craves at this point of his career.

3. Will the defense improve with an offensive-minded head coach?

That’s up to Jerry Reese. Assuming that he provides defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo with some actual personnel, you’d have to think so.

4. How must Tom Coughlin be feeling right now?

Taking the reports that Coughlin “stepped down” at face value, he likely is happy for McAdoo and this team. But if Steve Tisch and John Mara pressured him into resigning, like many think, then he’s likely trying to comprehend how his two coordinators and general manager were spared and he wasn’t.

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Justin Weiss is a staff editor at Elite Sports New York, where he covers the New York Islanders and Brooklyn Cyclones. In 2016, he received a Quill Award for Freelance Journalism. He has written for the Long Island Herald, FanSided and YardBarker.