TE, RB Coaches Out In Giants Staff Shakeup
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The New York Giants have parted ways with two positional coaches on the first full day of new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's tenure.
Well-regarded tight ends coach Mike Pope is out after two stints and a total of 23 seasons with the team. Running backs coach Jerald Ingram also won't be returning.
"Both of these men are very good talent evaluators and, in their own way, are very good teachers," head coach Tom Coughlin said in a statement Wednesday. "I decided to make a change in our staff that I believe will be productive going forward. These are very difficult decisions, but I felt they were in the best interests of the Giants moving forward."
Pope is the only coach in franchise history to have taken part in all four Super Bowl championships.
"Mike and I coached together on the Giants staff back in the 1980s," Coughlin said. "When I returned as the head coach, I didn't intend to keep anyone from the previous staff. I visited with Mike and made a decision that I wanted him as a part of our new staff going forward, and it was certainly the right decision."
Three former Giants tight ends reacted to the news Wednesday:
Can't believe Coach Mike Pope is out of New York... Didn't like waking up to this news... Great coach and great person! #popeforpresident
— Jake ballard (@TheJakeBallard) January 15, 2014
I would have never made it in the NFL if it weren't for Coach Pope taking me under his wing as a rookie...I owe that man a lot! #thankupope
— Kevin Boss (@KevinBossman) January 15, 2014
Ingram had been with the Giants since 2004. He also worked alongside Coughlin at Boston College and Jacksonville.
"He's an outstanding football coach," Coughlin said. "He has done a very good job here. I think the record speaks for itself in terms of the guys that have played for him and are very loyal to him. He's a man of principle and has been a very loyal assistant for a lot of years."
Sad to see my friend & Giants RB coach, Jerald Ingram let go by Coughlin..every good run ends! Prob a whole new offensive staff coming in.
— Tiki Barber (@TikiBarber) January 15, 2014
The Giants tabbed McAdoo to be their new offensive coordinator Tuesday following the retirement of Kevin Gilbride.
McAdoo, 36, was the Green Bay Packers' tight ends coach from 2006-11. He served as the Packers' quarterbacks coach for the past two seasons.
"I think the players will respond to this," Coughlin said Tuesday. "We're going to try to compromise the system with what we have here. However, there will be change. And that change will be very positive and very well-received by our team and our players. And if our players are scrambling around to learn a new system — good. That's another fire in their rear end."
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories