Joe Judge: What we know right now about Giants head coach and plans for his future
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Joe Judge expects to be back for a third season as the head coach of the New York Giants.
That much we know, and it's been reflected in his actions, not just in recent weeks and days, but Monday morning, when news of Dave Gettleman's exit following four losing seasons as general manager was made official with his retirement.
Firings were taking place throughout the league on "Black Monday," including a stunner in Miami with the Dolphins parting ways with Brian Flores.
Yet Judge, despite persistent speculation within the last 24 hours that he'd be dismissed, came to 1925 Giants Drive and kept on doing his job, which began with closing the book on a season that fell way short of expectations with an eye on coming up with a plan to make sure this next one with Big Blue does not follow the same path.
Numerous individuals with knowledge of the situation have told NorthJersey.com and Paste BN Network that Judge is proceeding as if he were coming back as head coach for a third season. No official statement has been made by the team, and that still may happen, but a big part of Judge's future will be a meeting with ownership, which has not happened as of yet. The people spoke on condition of anonymity due to the fluidity of the situation.
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The recommendation of a new general manager will also matter and carry weight in the process that co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch vowed would begin soon.
So here's how Judge spent Monday morning: taking care of exit meetings and the business of wrapping up a disappointing 4-13 campaign that ended with Sunday's 22-7 loss to Washington with uncertainty of what will happen next and serious questions regarding what has already transpired during his two-year tenure.
Judge held a team meeting at 12 p.m., just as he did last year, which is customary in the NFL when the season ends.
There's more of a feeling inside the organization, because of the way Judge was allowed to operate Monday, that he will be retained. But no final decision has been made, and there are still important discussions to be had that could result in change.
Judge could meet with ownership as soon as Monday afternoon, at which time he will likely be asked to answer for what has gone wrong, but even more importantly what his plan to turn things around will be. That discussion could provide more clarity on the situation, but Mara also made the point in his team-provided statement about the GM search that whoever gets hired will have a say in the coach.
“We are looking for a person who demonstrates exceptional leadership and communication abilities," Mara said. "Somebody who will oversee all aspects of our football operations, including player personnel, college scouting and coaching.”
Added Tisch: "It is an understatement to say John and I are disappointed by the lack of success we have had on the field. We are united in our commitment to find a GM who will provide the direction necessary for us to achieve the on-field performance and results we all expect.”