After an ugly 3-14 campaign for the New York Giants, someone would have to fall on the sword even if it wasn’t general manager Joe Schoen or head coach Brian Daboll.
That answer came on Wednesday when the team dismissed defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Jerome Henderson, as well as safeties coach Mike Treier.
The #Giants have fired defensive passing game coordinator/DB coach Jerome Henderson, sources say. Henderson had been with the team since Joe Judge’s first season in 2020.
Safeties coach Michael Treier was also let go. pic.twitter.com/Uhb8bMl08v
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 15, 2025
Both men have been with the Giants for five seasons, preceding current head coach Brain Daboll.
It’s an odd move considering the Giants’ pass defense was not their biggest problem on defense this season. The Giants finished 24th in total defense, allowing 346.8 yards per game.
The run defense was the real culprit, allowing 136.2 YPG — the fifth most in the league — while the pass defense came in at No. 9 versus the pass this season (210.6) yards per game.
This was the team’s first year under defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, who was once thought to be on the hot seat. However, the team apparently will return with new coaches directing the defensive backfield.
The Giants also apparently had several other members of Daboll’s staff defect this week, reports The Athletic’s Dan Duggan.
Defensive assistant Ben Burress: Burress had been with the Giants since 2019 in a variety of roles, most recently as a defensive assistant working with the OLB the past two seasons. He also had a front office/analytics role during the 2022 season. He is leaving for an offensive assistant role at South Carolina.
Director of strength and conditioning Frank Piraino: Hired in February as part of a revamped strength staff, Piraino is leaving to re-join Mike Vrabel in New England. Piraino had been with Vrabel in Tennessee.
Director of sports and performance nutrition Steve Smith: No word on the reason for his departure. He had been with the Giants in his role since 2020.
The Giants promised that changes were coming. So far they haven’t been at the top, where many felt they should have been made. It remains to be seen if more cuts and departures are in the wings.
