The defensive coaching staff is the first area of the Giants to get a face-lift under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Assistant coaches Andre Patterson (line), John Egorugwu (inside linebackers), Marquand Manuel (secondary coach/pass game coordinator) and Jeff Burris (cornerbacks) will not be retained, sources told The Post.
Among the defensive assistants assembled last season by former head coach Brian Daboll, only Charlie Bullen (outside linebackers) — who was promoted to interim defensive coordinator with five games remaining — still has a chance to remain. Bullen and general manager Joe Schoen have a close relationship from their days together in the Dolphins organization.
Harbaugh began meeting with incumbent assistants under contract on Wednesday, but at least some of the coaches who were let go did not get the chance to make a case to the new boss. Schoen informed some assistants that they were not part of Harbaugh’s plans and free to look elsewhere without coming in for a face-to-face meeting, according to sources.
“Great coaches, I believe, on this staff that we’re looking forward to talking to,” Harbaugh said Tuesday.
None of the moves are a major surprise considering Harbaugh is the only coach listed on the Giants website.
It is unclear what the future holds for the offensive staff, though Carmen Bricillo is considered the leading candidate to be offensive line coach after receiving a ringing endorsement from John’s father (former coach Jack Harbaugh).
The Ravens are not expected to block many — or any — of their offensive assistants from following Harbaugh or making lateral moves, a source said.
Patterson is a 24-year NFL assistant and former Vikings defensive coordinator who helped Dexter Lawrence take his game to a three-time Pro Bowl level by moving him to nose tackle. He and Egorugwu were members of Daboll’s original staff in 2022.
Egorugwu is a former Ravens assistant under Harbaugh (2015-16), so it was speculated that he might have a chance to stick.
Manuel, a former Falcons defensive coordinator, and Burris were added to the staff last season.
Harbaugh could go several directions for his defensive coordinator — including former Ravens position coaches who became defensive coordinators such as Zach Orr (Ravens), Dennard Wilson (Titans) and Anthony Weaver (Dolphins).
Broncos assistant head coach Jim Leonhard — a former player under Harbaugh — is considered a strong candidate for both the Giants and Jets defensive coordinator vacancies.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
