Former Giants Head Coach Returns to College Ranks

JULY 8: Pat Shurmur to Join Colorado's Coaching Staff

Former New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is returning to the college ranks to join Deion Sander's staff at the University of Colorado.

Shurmur, the Giants head coach from 2018-2019, was last with the Denver Broncos as their offensive coordinator in 2021. After a year away from the game, the 58-year-old is going back to the college ranks for the first time since 1998 when he was the offensive line coach at Stanford.  

According to Mike Klis of 9NEWS in Denver, Shurmur will serve as an offensive analyst on Sanders's staff, joining another former NFL head coach in Mike Zimmer (Vikings), who was on Sanders's staff at Jackson before joining him in Boulder with the Buffaloes. 

Shurmur compiled a 9-23 record during his two seasons with the Giants.  

JULY 7: Giants Lose Assistant Coach to XFL

Dr. Anthony Blevins, the New York Giants special teams coordinator, has been named head coach of the Vegas Vipers of the XFL.

"Following a nationwide search, we are proud to introduce Anthony Blevins as the head coach of the Vipers," said XFL President Russ Brandon. "Our players will have an incredible opportunity to learn from a coach with NFL and NCAA experience, and we look forward to seeing his impact on the field and in the locker room."

“Anthony’s talent and potential were evident throughout the interview process and in speaking with some coaches, staff and former players from the New York Giants, it was clear that he knows how to connect with players and staff," said Executive Vice President of Football Operations Marc Ross, the Giants former Vice President of Player Personnel.

“He is a very bright coach who has made stops at every level of football from coaching high school in Atlanta to the Giants with collegiate and NFL stops in between. On top of his coaching experience, he knows what opportunity our league can provide to players and staff."

Blevins served as the assistant special teams coach with the Giants last season under head coach Brian Daboll, also having served in that role for the Giants from 2018-2019. He was an assistant linebackers coach in 2021 and the assistant defensive backs coach in 2020. 

JULY 6: Former Giants Super Bowl Champion Passes Away

Johnie Cooks, the No. 2 overall pick in the 1982 NFL Draft, has passed away at the age of 64.

"Johnie Cooks is without question among the very best to ever put on the maroon and white while also standing as one of the most decorated college football players of his era," said Mississippi State athletic director Zac Selmon in a statement, per CBS Sports. 

"He truly did it all in his career, from earning accolade after accolade as a Bulldog, to winning a Super Bowl in the NFL. Johnie will be remembered forever in Starkville as he is cemented as an MSU legend."

Cooks joined the Giants after being released by the Colts in 1988. in his second to last NFL season, Cooks helped  New York win its second Super Bowl championship in 1990, a 20-19 win at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida.

Cooks retired in 1991 after 10 seasons. 

June 27: Tiki Barber Expanding Broadcast Career

According to the New York Post, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber is taking his broadcasting career to the next level starting this fall.