 Reese (far left) with the 2007 Super Bowl champion coaching staff: defensive coordinatorSteve Spagnuolo, offensive coordinatorKevin Gilbride, and head coachTom Coughlin atGiants Stadium | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1963-07-22)July 22, 1963 (age 62) Tiptonville, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College | University of Tennessee at Martin |
| Career history | |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
| Executive profile atPro Football Reference | |
Jerry Reese (born July 22, 1963) is a former American football executive, player, and coach. He was a member of theNew York Giants for 23 years, serving as theirgeneral manager from 2007 to 2017 where he won twoSuper Bowls. He was inducted into theTennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.[1]
Reese is a native ofTiptonville, Tennessee, where he played for theLake County Falcons' 1980 state champion 1-A high school football team.[2] He played for theUniversity of Tennessee at Martin[3] where he was later an assistant coach before taking a job as a scout for the New York Giants. From 2002 until becoming general manager in 2007, he was the director of player personnel for the Giants.[4]
Reese succeededErnie Accorsi as general manager on January 16, 2007. He participated in the Giants' success in the2007 NFL draft, which included the selections ofAaron Ross,Steve Smith,Jay Alford,Kevin Boss,Michael Johnson,Ahmad Bradshaw, andZak DeOssie. Some of them played important roles in the Giants'Super Bowl XLII victory.[5] Prior to the start of Giants mini-camp in May 2008, Reese and the Giants were invited by PresidentGeorge W. Bush to theWhite House to honor their Super Bowl victory.[6]
During his first five seasons as General Manager (2007-2011), the Giants amassed a 49-31 record, with three playoff appearances. Reese had his second Super Bowl victory in 2011 when the Giants wonSuper Bowl XLVI over the Patriots.[7]
Following the Giants'Super Bowl XLVI win, the team sputtered. Over the next six seasons, the team went 42-54 while making just one postseason appearance, losing to theGreen Bay Packers in the2016 NFC Wild Card Game.[8] Following the 2015 season, the Giants fired longtime head coachTom Coughlin and replaced him withBen McAdoo, who had spent the previous two years as offensive coordinator. After a 11–5 finish in 2016, the 2017 Giants were marred by numerous player injuries and other known controversies.
Reese was criticized during his final years for failing to fix numerous team problems, including a poor offensive line[9] and a lackluster rushing attack (having had just one thousand-yard rusher since 2010).[10] Reese was also criticized for poor draft picks during the later years of his tenure. Examples include draftingEreck Flowers andEli Apple in the2015 and2016 drafts, respectively, as both failed to meet expectations and were off the Giants roster by 2019.
After a 2–10 record to start the 2017 season, Reese was fired by the Giants, after serving 23 years in the front office, along with the firing of head coachBen McAdoo.[11] During Reese's tenure, the Giants had a regular season record of 90–82, and a postseason record of 8–2.
Reese is married to Gwen Moore. They have two children, Jasmyne Danielle and Jerry II.[12] He resides inJefferson Township,New Jersey, where his son J.R. played quarterback for theJefferson Township High School football team.[13]