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The New York Giants formally announced the hiring of Joel Thomas as their subsequent operating backs coach on Tuesday.
Thomas will exchange Jeff Nixon, who recently departed for Syracuse, the place he’ll function their offensive coordinator and operating backs coach.
Thomas will inherit a operating again group rife with uncertainty. Saquon Barkley prevented exit interviews and all however demanded the Giants franchise him earlier than March in the event that they intend to. If not, Barkley says, it’s time to let him go.
If the Giants choose in opposition to franchising Barkley and fail to signal him to a long-term deal, he’ll turn out to be an unrestricted free agent.
Evidently, Thomas has quite a lot of work to do. However earlier than that begins, listed below are 5 issues to know concerning the Giants’ new operating backs coach.
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From 2015, when he first took over as operating backs coach for the New Orleans Saints, by means of 2022, Thomas’ backs led the NFL with 148 dashing touchdowns.
In 2023, that manufacturing fell off because the Saints recorded simply 13 dashing touchdowns, which was good for 18th within the NFL.
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Though Thomas has discovered success with a multiple-running-back method, the highest canine all the time appears to eat effectively.
From 2017 by means of 2022, Alvin Kamara was the one participant within the NFL to document 1,300-plus yards from scrimmage in every season. In three of these, he had greater than 1,500 yards.
That development would have continued in 2023 had Kamara not missed 4 video games because of damage. He ended final season with 1,160 yards, snapping his six-year streak on the prime of the league.
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NFL gamers typically relate effectively to coaches who’ve performed the sport of soccer themselves. That’s excellent news for Thomas, who not solely suited up throughout his school profession however excelled on the sector.
Thomas lettered at operating again on the College of Idaho (1993-1998) the place he nonetheless holds program information for dashing yards (3,929), dashing touchdowns (51), and dashing makes an attempt (765). He was a two-time First Workforce All-Large West choice and Convention Participant of the 12 months as a senior.
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Previous to becoming a member of the Saints in 2015, Thomas spent 16 years teaching on the school degree. He started as a graduate assistant (Purdue) in 2000 and made notable stops at Louisville, Washington, and Arkansas.
Thomas’ roles ranged from operating backs coach to co-offensive coordinator to affiliate head coach for offense.
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Thomas is probably not a Professional Soccer Corridor of Famer simply but however he does boast two enshrinements on his resume.
In 2008, Thomas was inducted into the College of Idaho Athletic Corridor of Fame. He was additionally beforehand inducted into the Port Angeles Excessive Faculty Athletic Corridor of Fame.
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