The New York Jets recently lost a top assistant coach to their rivals, the New York Giants. Marquand Manuel, a 45-year-old former NFL defensive back, leaves the Jets after four seasons under head coach Robert Saleh, who was let go during the season. This move marks a significant shakeup in the Meadowlands.
On Wednesday morning, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Manuel has been hired as the Giants’ defensive backs coach. “The Giants are hiring veteran NFL coach Marquand Manuel as their defensive backs coach,” Fowler wrote in a post on X.
Manuel, who starred as a defensive back for the Miami Hurricanes, was part of the championship 2001 Hurricanes team that produced numerous NFL talents. He played professionally from 2002 to 2009 and was hired by former Seattle head coach Pete Carroll in 2012 as an assistant special teams coordinator. Since then, he has steadily climbed the coaching ranks.
From 2017 to 2018, Manuel reached his highest position as defensive coordinator under Dan Quinn with the Atlanta Falcons, having joined the staff in 2015 and contributing to their Super Bowl team in 2016. The Giants are eager for a turnaround after a disappointing 2024 season, having moved on from Daniel Jones, and Manuel’s hiring signifies their aim for a fresh start.
This latest development represents another setback for the Jets, and the reaction from the NFL community has been notable.
Manuel was part of a secondary staff whose unit was Top 5 in limiting passing yardage in each of the past three NFL seasons … #Giants https://t.co/aazIvKIuJE
— GiantsWFAN (@giantswfan) January 22, 2025
Packers legend. https://t.co/rE16neTUzN
— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) January 22, 2025
Marquand Manuel doesn’t have to move. He is the new #Giants DBs coach after 4 years as #Jets safeties coach. He has experience as both a DBs coach and a DC, making him well-prepared to develop cornerbacks. I believe cornerback is a significant offseason need for the Giants. https://t.co/DzvCmJgWPi
— Ryan Dunleavy (@rydunleavy) January 22, 2025
The Jets had an elite room of DBs just a year ago; they struggled for various reasons in 2024. Nice upside hire — hopefully, he can do great work with Tyler Nubin and Deonte Banks. https://t.co/HO4OIr7aUq
— Alex Wilson (@AlexWilsonESM) January 22, 2025
