Joe Judge - NFL Head Coach

Background and Early Life
Joe Judge was born on December 31, 1981, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a football family—his father, Joseph Judge, played football at Temple University and in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Joe attended Lansdale Catholic High School before moving on to play college football. Playing Career
Joe Judge played college football as a quarterback and holder at Mississippi State University from 2000 to
2004. While he did not have a notable playing career, his time at Mississippi State laid the groundwork for his future in coaching. Coaching Career

• Early Coaching Roles: Judge began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Mississippi State (2005–2007), then served as linebackers coach at Birmingham-Southern College (2008).
• Alabama Crimson Tide (2009–2011): He joined Nick Saban's staff at Alabama as a special teams assistant, contributing to two BCS National Championships (2009, 2011).
• New England Patriots (2012–2019): Judge was hired by Bill Belichick as a special teams assistant, later becoming special teams coordinator. In 2019, he also served as wide receivers coach. During his tenure, the Patriots won three Super Bowls (XLIX, LI, LIII).
• New York Giants Head Coach (2020–2021): In January 2020, Judge became head coach of the Giants. His first season (2020) ended with a 6–10 record, and the team finished 4–13 in
  2021. He was dismissed after two seasons.
• Return to New England (2022–present): Judge returned to the Patriots as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach.

Coaching Highlights and Accomplishments

• 3× Super Bowl Champion (XLIX, LI, LIII) as a Patriots assistant
• 2× BCS National Champion at Alabama (2009, 2011)
• Known for his tough, disciplined coaching style and special teams expertise

Relevant Facts
Joe Judge is respected around the league for his attention to detail and organizational skills, honed under two legendary coaches: Nick Saban and Bill Belichick. Though his tenure as an NFL head coach was brief, he is considered a valuable coaching asset, particularly on special teams and offense.
Summary
Joe Judge's career has spanned college football powerhouses and NFL dynasties, with multiple championships as an assistant coach. His experience across special teams, offense, and team management make him a well-rounded football mind, even if his head coaching stint with the Giants was short-lived.

Legacy & Career Overview

Joe Judge: NFL Head Coach Biography

Joe Judge is a prominent American football coach known for his extensive experience across multiple levels of the sport, most notably as the head coach of the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL). With a background rooted in both playing and coaching, Judge’s career is a testament to hard work, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the game.

Early Life and Playing Career

Born on December 31, 1981, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Joe Judge grew up in a sports-oriented family. His father, Joseph Judge Sr., played football at Temple University and later in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. This athletic pedigree influenced Joe’s early affinity for the sport.

Judge attended Lansdale Catholic High School in Lansdale, Pennsylvania, where he showcased his athletic abilities on the football field. Following high school, he enrolled at Mississippi State University. There, he played as a backup quarterback and holder for the Bulldogs from 2000 to
2004. Although he was never a star player, his dedication, intelligence, and understanding of the nuances of the game laid the foundation for his future coaching career.

Early Coaching Career

After graduating from Mississippi State with a degree in Education, Judge began his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at his alma mater in
2005. He then gained experience at Birmingham-Southern College as a linebackers coach and special teams assistant. His early coaching years were marked by a relentless work ethic and a knack for detail, traits that would define his later success.

Judge returned to Mississippi State in 2008 as a special teams coordinator and later worked under Dan Mullen, further developing his coaching acumen and understanding of special teams play, an area he would become highly regarded for in the NFL.

Rise to Prominence: New England Patriots

Joe Judge’s big break came in 2012 when he was hired by Bill Belichick as a special teams assistant for the New England Patriots. Working under Belichick—a legendary head coach known for his attention to detail and high standards—Judge quickly earned a reputation for his intelligence, toughness, and leadership.

• 2012-2014: Special Teams Assistant, New England Patriots
• 2015-2018: Special Teams Coordinator, New England Patriots
• 2019: Special Teams Coordinator and Wide Receivers Coach, New England Patriots

During his tenure in New England, Judge played a significant role in the Patriots' continued dominance. The team won three Super Bowls (XLIX, LI, LIII) and consistently boasted some of the best special teams units in the league. He worked with notable specialists like Stephen Gostkowski and Matthew Slater, helping them reach Pro Bowl levels. In 2019, Judge took on additional responsibilities as the team’s wide receivers coach—the first time a Belichick assistant held both roles simultaneously.

Head Coach: New York Giants

On January 8, 2020, Joe Judge was named the 21st head coach of the New York Giants, becoming one of the youngest head coaches in the league at just 38 years old. His hiring was seen as a bold move, given his lack of previous head coaching experience at any level and the fact that he had never served as an NFL coordinator on offense or defense.

2020 Season: Judge’s first season with the Giants saw the team finish with a 6–10 record. Despite the losing record, the Giants demonstrated noticeable improvement in discipline, defense, and special teams play. Judge’s no-nonsense approach, focus on fundamentals, and demand for accountability were widely praised. The team narrowly missed the playoffs, finishing second in the NFC East.

2021 Season: Hopes were higher for the Giants in Judge’s second year, but the team struggled with injuries and inconsistent play, finishing with a disappointing 4–13 record. The offense ranked among the league’s worst, and despite a competitive defense, the lack of progress led to Judge’s dismissal following the season.

Coaching Philosophy and Reputation

Joe Judge is known for his “old-school” approach: emphasizing discipline, attention to detail, and team-first mentality. Drawing from his time under Belichick, he stressed fundamentals, situational football, and valued special teams as a critical phase of the game. His press conferences and public comments often reflected a teacher’s mindset, focusing on establishing a strong culture and accountability.

Relevant Facts and Career Highlights

• Super Bowl Championships: 3 (XLIX, LI, LIII) as a coach with the New England Patriots
• Coaching Tree: Notably mentored by Bill Belichick and Nick Saban (interned at Alabama in 2009)
• Known For: Special teams expertise, leadership, and player development
• Family: Married with four children
• Return to Patriots: After his Giants tenure, Judge returned to the Patriots in 2022 as an offensive assistant and quarterbacks coach

Legacy and Impact

While Joe Judge’s head coaching record with the Giants (10–23) may not reflect immediate success, his reputation as a smart, hardworking, and detail-oriented coach remains intact. He is respected across the league for his special teams acumen and his ability to connect with and develop players. Judge’s experience under both Nick Saban at Alabama and Bill Belichick in New England places him in rare company, and he continues to be regarded as a promising young coach with a future in football.

Whether as a head coach or in another key staff role, Joe Judge is likely to remain a fixture in the NFL coaching landscape for years to come.