One of the Giants’ longest-tenured assistant coaches is getting the chance to run his own team.
Anthony Blevins was hired Friday as head coach of the XFL’s Vegas Vipers.
It is a full-circle moment for Blevins, who played for Birmingham in the original incarnation of the XFL in 2001.
Blevins joined the Giants as an assistant special teams coach on then-head coach Pat Shurmur’s staff in 2018 and was well-regarded enough to survive two coaching changes.
Blevins was previously an assistant special teams coach for the Arizona Cardinals from 2013-2017.
The Giants have enjoyed rare coaching continuity on special teams because coordinator Thomas McGaughey also has worked under Shurmur, Joe Judge and Brian Daboll.
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Blevins, 46, was used as an assistant defensive backs coach and an assistant linebackers coach under Judge before returning to his roots.
He interviewed for a handful of NFL coordinator jobs in recent years.
XFL executive vice president of football operations Marc Ross — who oversaw the Giants’ drafts for 11 seasons but just missed crossing paths with Blevins — was involved in the hiring.
“Anthony’s talent and potential were evident throughout the interview process,” Ross said in a statement, “and in speaking with some coaches, staff and former players from the New York Giants, it was clear that he knows how to connect with players and staff.”
Nicknamed “Doc Blev,” Blevins isn’t cut from the typical coaching mold.
He holds a master’s degree in instructional technology and a Ph.D. in instructional systems and workforce development, both from Mississippi State.
