Patriots special teams coordinator Joe Judge leapfrogs Josh McDaniels for head coaching job
By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
The Patriots’ coaching turnover has continued from the 2019 season into 2020. Now, special teams coordinator/wide receivers coach Joe Judge is set to depart and become the next head coach of the New York Giants.
It’s a significant move as it relates to Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who was set to interview with the Giants on Wednesday. According to New York Giants are finalizing a deal to make Patriots’ wide receivers coach Joe Judge their next head coach, league sources tell ESPN. Deal was in the works as of last night, which is another reason Matt Rhule took the Panthers’ HC job.
In addition, the Panthers have reportedly decided to hire Baylor head coach Matt Rhule for their vacancy. McDaniels was scheduled to interview with the Panthers on Tuesday. So there is now only one head coaching opening left in the National Football League, the Cleveland Browns.
McDaniels is scheduled to interview with the Browns on Friday. So if he doesn’t get that gig, that would be a bad sign for how he’s viewed around the league. He’s been leapfrogged by a colleague with no head coaching experience and less overall coaching experience in the league.
New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels stands on the field during warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. (Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports)
As for the Patriots’ staff, that leaves a big vacancy at wide receivers coach. Assistant special teams coordinator Cam Achord is the likely favorite to take over the ST units full-time. Former Dolphins offensive coordinator Chad O’Shea is a free agent and could be a candidate to return to the Patriots at his old post as receivers coach.
Going from special teams to one year as a positional coach to head coach isn’t unprecedented. John Harbaugh spent nine seasons as the Eagles’ special teams coordinator and one as their defensive backs coach before becoming the Ravens’ head coach in 2008. It’s worked out pretty well for him.
Either way, the Patriots will now have to hire a new receivers coach – or at least an assistant in that department. They lack in-house candidates at that position compared to prior seasons. Former Pats receiver Troy Brown unofficially served as an assistant receivers coach this season, so we’ll see if he gets (or wants) a promotion. And there’s still the possibility that offensive coordinator opens up if McDaniels chooses the Browns.
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].
