The New York Giants officially announced Pat Shurmur will be the team’s new head coach on Monday afternoon.
Less than 24 hours after the Minnesota Vikings were thrashed by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, the Purple People Eaters suffered another loss—offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has officially become the 18th head coach of the New York Giants.
Welcome to Big Blue, Coach Pat Shurmur! QUOTES: https://t.co/8BdsI8lwve pic.twitter.com/zxX7FNj0Q4
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 22, 2018
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Shurmur will be getting a five-year deal.
Giants are giving new HC Pat Shurmur a 5-year contract, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2018
“He has an outstanding track record in developing young players and it’s clear his players respond to his guidance and direction,” Giants co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch said, per Newsday‘s Tom Rock. “We interviewed six talented and qualified candidates and we feel like Pat, with his vision and experience, is the right person to lead our team.”
ESNY’s Nick LoPresti agrees with Mara and Tisch on that last part.
Shurmur, 52, who is coming off his second season as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator, has been a head coach once before. From 2011-12, he led the Cleveland Browns to a 9-23 record. He also served as the interim head coach with the Philadelphia Eagles for one game during the 2015 season—which resulted in a win.
Shurmur delivered a somewhat standard statement Monday afternoon, as Rock notes.
“I am looking forward to getting to work with Dave Gettleman and Kevin Abrams and starting the process to once again build a championship team. I have been fortunate to work with many great coaches and players, and I am thankful for those relationships.”
As for those Giants fans who may worry about Shurmur’s ability to lead one of the NFL’s most high-profile franchises in the world’s biggest—and toughest—media market, Gettleman told reporters, via Rock, that he wasn’t concerned.
“I know he will provide the type of leadership we need to take our team back to where it belongs… What struck me during our conversation is that being the head coach of the New York Giants is not too big for him. He is made for this moment and this opportunity.”
Only time will tell whether that’s true.
