Getty New York Giants Head Coach Joe Judge
The New York Giants shocked the world on Tuesday afternoon when news broke that former New England Patriots special teams coordinator Joe Judge would become the 19th head coach in the history of their storied franchise.
While many scratched their heads, wondering who Joe Judge is, others were quick to mock a team who has been amongst the bottom dwellers of the NFL for the last three seasons. However, after Judge took to the podium on Thursday afternoon, it became evidently clear why Joe Judge may be just what the Giants need to get back to their winning ways.
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Top-5 Moments From Joe Judge’s Memorable Press Conference
- 1) Left a Lasting Impression From the Jump
Before even stepping foot on a podium, Joe Judge made a lasting impression with Giants faithful and members of the media. In true Tom Caughlin fashion, Judge arrived early to his press conference on Thursday. From there he took the time to greet and shake hands with every reporter in attendance.
This is new. Joe Judge arrived early for his introductory press conference and shook hands with every reporter here.
2) Who Am I? What I’m About?
Judge is well aware of the chatter to occur over the internet and amongst Giants fans over the past two days, with the biggest question being simply, who is Joe Judge? Judge took time at his press conference to answer that lingering question by explaining what he believes to be “relevant in the conversation of being the head coach of the New York Giants, what I’m about.”
“What I’m about is an old school, physical mentality. We’ll punch you in the nose for 60 minutes, we’ll play every play like its a history in the life of its own”
Who is Joe Judge? He’d like to explain.
“What I’m about is an old school, physical mentality. We’ll punch you in the nose for 60 minutes, we’ll play every play like its a history in the life of its own”
3) Will Not Serve as a Coordinator
Joe Judge has made his name in the NFL as a special teams coordinator. He’s served as an assistant or head special teams coordinator for the New England Patriots for the last eight seasons. However, with the Giants Judge plans to take on a broader coaching approach as the man in charge. Judge says he will hire coordinators for all three aspects of the game, and be involved when he sees fit, ala Bill Belichick in New England.
Joe Judge says he isn’t going to be an Offensive, Defensive, or Special Teams Coordinator. He’s coaching everyone. Mentions in his previous ST role, he had to work with what he had and understand virtually every player on the team. Gonna make his early detractors look real silly.
4) Learned From the Best of the Best
One of the greatest calling cards on Joe Judge’s resume is the fact that he stems off the coaching trees of not only Bill Belichick but also Nick Saban, arguably the two greatest football coaches to ever walk this planet.
Judge spoke about the lessons he learned working under Nick Saban during his stint at Alabama.
“What I learned from Coach Saban was not an individual lesson, what I learned from Nick Saban it’s important to address everybody, not only on the what they have to due, but how it should look, what we’re going to do to get there, and why it’s important.”
Joe Judge worked under Nick Saban AND Bill Belichick.
What were the lessons he took from each?
Judge also touched on what he learned the most from Bill Belichick, speaking on Belichick’s willingness to be flexible with personnel, something that will be greatly welcomed the Giants’ vanilla schemes of years past.
Joe Judge: “What I learned from Coach Belichick is real simple: Be flexible with your personnel. Don’t try to shove square pegs in a round hole. Figure out what you have.”
I LOVE THIS QUOTE.
Build your system through the strength of your players.
5) He’s Ready For the Moment
By far the biggest takeaway from Judge’s Press Conference was the simple fact that he looks and sounds like he belongs. Judge retractors came out the woodworks upon his hiring, however, you’d likely be hard-pressed to find many doubters following such a superb first-showing.
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