Legendary Two-Time Super Bowl Champion New York Giants Coach Has Tragically Passed Away

A Giants legend leaves behind an impactful legacy.


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This is going to be tough for all. Ray Handley, a well-known NFL coach, died last week at the age of 81. He helped the New York Giants win two Super Bowls and played an important role during the team’s best years. Handley worked as a trusted assistant under Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells before later becoming the team’s head coach.

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The Giants found great success while Handley was on the coaching staff. He worked as the offensive backfield coach during the team’s Super Bowl wins in the 1986 and 1990 seasons. New York defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI and shocked the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl XXV. Those victories made the Giants one of the strongest teams of that time.

Handley took over as head coach after Parcells stepped down in May 1991. The team also lost defensive coordinator Bill Belichick, who left to coach the Cleveland Browns. The Giants then trusted Handley to lead the team into a new era.


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Handley Helped Build Champions

Coach Ray Handley (Photo Via Imagn Images)
Ray Handley joined the New York Giants after spending five years as an assistant coach at Stanford, where he also played college football. He first worked with Bill Parcells at Air Force in 1978. The Giants hired him in 1984 as the running backs coach, and he quickly became an important part of the coaching staff.

Handley built his offense around a strong running game. The Giants ranked sixth in the NFL in rushing during both of his seasons as head coach. The team also finished in the top 10 in rushing three times while he coached the running backs. Players like Ottis Anderson, Joe Morris, and Lewis Tillman played very well under his coaching.

Handley and the offense played a big role in the Giants’ 1990 Super Bowl run. Starting quarterback Phil Simms broke his ankle late in the season. Backup Jeff Hostetler stepped in and helped the team keep winning. The Giants rushed for 518 yards in three playoff games and controlled the pace of play. Anderson rushed for 102 yards in the Super Bowl win against Buffalo.

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The Giants made Handley their head coach in 1991. He faced huge pressure and high expectations. The team finished 8-8 in his first season and 6-10 in his second season. The Giants went 14-18 overall under him and fired him after a poor finish in 1992.

Many fans remember Handley for the struggles after Parcells left. He replaced a legendary coach and also lost important assistants. The team dealt with injuries and roster changes during that time.

Handley never coached in the NFL again after leaving the Giants.