Patrick Graham will be back with the New York Giants.
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That decision essentially was made Wednesday when the Minnesota Vikings settled on their new head coach.
Per Pro Football Talk, the Vikings “are expected to hire Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, according to multiple reports. The Vikings cannot make the hire official until after the Super Bowl on Feb. 13.”
Graham had a second interview with the Vikings on Tuesday. Minnesota then talked with the leading contender for the job, Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh, on Wednesday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports “Harbaugh called Michigan to inform the school that, despite interviewing with the Vikings (Wednesday), he will be returning to school for the 2022 season, sources tell ESPN. Michigan was, in the words of one source, ‘elated’ to get Harbaugh’s decision.”
Harbaugh previously was linked to the head coach job with the Las Vegas Raiders, which went to former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.
As for Graham, Giants new head coach Brian Daboll said Monday he would like the defensive coordinator to return in 2022. Daboll spoke highly of Graham, according to NJ Advance Media’s Darryl Slater:
Graham and Daboll know each other. They are both Bill Belichick disciples. Graham worked in New England from 2009-15. Daboll was there from 2000-06, and then again from 2013-16, as tight ends coach. So they overlapped for three seasons, from 2013-15, when Graham coached the defensive line and linebackers.
“I have had a good relationship with Pat for some time in this league,” Daboll said. “He’s very diligent. He’s smart. I think the players respect him. I have a good working relationship with him. Selfishly, I would love him to be here. He offers a lot to our program. I think he’d be a great support system for me. I’m hoping that works out.”
Graham was one of five head coach candidates considered by Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who gave the job on Friday to Daboll, the former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator.
Graham just completed his second season as Giants defensive coordinator for Joe Judge, who was fired last month. Before coming to New York, Graham spent the 2019 season as defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins. Graham’s NFL coaching career began with the Patriots in 2009, where he would ascend to linebackers coach for Bill Belichick.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at [email protected].
