5 things to know about the RB coach
The New York Giants officially announced the hiring of Joel Thomas as their next running backs coach on Tuesday.
Thomas will replace Jeff Nixon, who recently departed for Syracuse, where he’ll serve as their offensive coordinator and running backs coach.
Thomas will inherit a running back group rife with uncertainty. Saquon Barkley avoided exit interviews and all but demanded the Giants franchise him before March if they intend to. If not, Barkley says, it’s time to let him go.
If the Giants opt against franchising Barkley and fail to sign him to a long-term deal, he will become an unrestricted free agent.
Needless to say, Thomas has a lot of work to do. But before that begins, here are five things to know about the Giants’ new running backs coach.
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From 2015, when he first took over as running backs coach for the New Orleans Saints, through 2022, Thomas’ backs led the NFL with 148 rushing touchdowns.
In 2023, that production fell off as the Saints recorded just 13 rushing touchdowns, which was good for 18th in the NFL.
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Although Thomas has found success with a multiple-running-back approach, the top dog always seems to eat well.
From 2017 through 2022, Alvin Kamara was the only player in the NFL to record 1,300-plus yards from scrimmage in each season. In three of those, he had more than 1,500 yards.
That trend would have continued in 2023 had Kamara not missed four games due to injury. He ended last season with 1,160 yards, snapping his six-year streak at the top of the league.
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NFL players often relate well to coaches who have played the game of football themselves. That’s good news for Thomas, who not only suited up during his college career but excelled on the field.
Thomas lettered at running back at the University of Idaho (1993-1998) where he still holds program records for rushing yards (3,929), rushing touchdowns (51), and rushing attempts (765). He was a two-time First Team All-Big West selection and Conference Player of the Year as a senior.
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Prior to joining the Saints in 2015, Thomas spent 16 years coaching at the college level. He began as a graduate assistant (Purdue) in 2000 and made notable stops at Louisville, Washington, and Arkansas.
Thomas’ roles ranged from running backs coach to co-offensive coordinator to associate head coach for offense.
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Thomas may not be a Pro Football Hall of Famer just yet but he does boast two enshrinements on his resume.
In 2008, Thomas was inducted into the University of Idaho Athletic Hall of Fame. He was also previously inducted into the Port Angeles High School Athletic Hall of Fame.
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