Patriots special teams coordinator Joe Judge drawing head coach interest
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
As much turnover as the Patriots’ coaching staff had in 2019, there might be even more in 2020. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is not the only Patriots assistant who’s drawing head coach interest around the National Football League.
According to Giants requested permission to interview Patriots’ special teams coordinator Joe Judge for their head-coaching vacancy, per source. Other special teams coaches have made jump to HC; Judge could be next to do it. Giants and Panthers now have requested permission to interview Patriots' OC Josh McDaniels for their vacant HC job, per source. Browns already have requested permission as well, so that's three potential opportunities. Giants are expected to interview former Packers’ head coach Mike McCarthy this weekend, per source. And so two of the prime candidates for the Giants' HC job will be Baylor HC Matt Rhule and Patriots' OC Josh McDaniels Giants have requested permission to interview Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy for their head-coaching job, per source. Panthers also have requested interview for Bieniemy.
According to ESPN’s I’m told #Cowboys passing game coordinator/defensive backs coach Kris Richard is schedule to interview with the #Giants for its head coach vacancy on Thursday, per source. Source: #Ravens DC Don “Wink” Martindale was requested to interview for the #Giants head-coaching opportunity. He’d try to bring #LSU offensive guru Joe Brady with him -- an intriguing pair.
So … both Judge and McDaniels have some competition if they really want that Giants gig.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels reacts before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Gillette Stadium on November 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
Judge and special teams assistant Cameron Achord have done an outstanding job with the Patriots’ kicking and coverage units this season. The performance of the wide receivers hasn’t measured up to those groups, but the Pats have had a revolving door of personnel and injuries at that position as well. Clearly, Judge has done enough to draw attention from another team.
It doesn’t sound like Bill Belichick would be surprised if Judge becomes a head coach sooner rather than later.
“Joe’s done a great job,” said Belichick on Tuesday. “He’s done a great job with the kicking game, and as you said he’s expanded the role a little bit. That’s kind of had a little bit of a ripple effect in how we’ve organized the kicking game, but that’s all worked out pretty efficiently. Joe’s done a good job of organizing that, as well as taking on some other things with the offense, particularly the receivers. He’s done a good job. He’s an excellent coach.”
Going from special teams to a position group to head coach in a span of three years isn’t unprecedented. John Harbaugh spent nine seasons as the Eagles’ special teams coordinator and one as defensive backs coach before becoming Ravens head coach. But Judge may have an uphill battle against candidates with prior head coaching experience like McDaniels, McCarthy, and Rhule if you count college football.
This is the Giants’ third head coaching search in five years, which can’t possibly be a winning formula. Perhaps they feel that grabbing a Patriots assistant is their best chance for building sustained long-term success with a single program.
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at [email protected].
