Passing of Ray Handley
Ray Handley, a former head coach of the Giants and assistant coach with two Super Bowl victories, passed away last week, as confirmed by the team and his nephew. He was 81 years old.
Life After Coaching
Following his dismissal in 1992, Handley rarely spoke publicly about his tenure with the Giants. He chose to live a private life in Lake Tahoe, stepping away from coaching and losing his connection to the organization.
Coaching Career Highlights
During the height of his NFL career, Handley served as the offensive backfield coach for the formidable Giants under Bill Parcells from 1984 to 1990. The two coaches developed a strong mutual respect while working as assistants at Army in 1968-69.
Parcells on Handley
“He was an excellent mathematician,” Parcells stated in an interview. “He consistently helped me with clock management, especially in critical game moments. He had a knack for calculating how many plays were left for both teams, accounting for timeouts, and remaining calm under pressure.”
Final Game as Assistant Coach
In his last game as an assistant before taking over for Parcells, Handley coached Super Bowl MVP O.J. Anderson. The strategy then was to manage the clock effectively to minimize the opportunities for the potent Bills offense.
Challenges as Head Coach
Handley’s two-year head coaching stint was fraught with difficulties, including public disputes with media and fan dissatisfaction. Expectations remained high after Parcells’ departure, and Handley’s lack of strict authority over veteran players hindered his effectiveness. Significant decisions, like choosing Jeff Hostetler over Phil Simms and altering the defensive scheme, did not yield the hoped-for results.
Legacy and Remembrance
Handley finished with a record of 14-18 (.438), which does not seem poor compared to more recent Giants coaches but was viewed as a substantial decline at the time. Parcells, although he lost contact with Handley over the years, acknowledged the difficulties of being a first-time head coach following a legendary predecessor.
He is remembered as “an honorable man” known for his intensity and competitiveness, leaving a profound impact on his family and the players he mentored, as described by his nephew Rob on social media.
No funeral arrangements have been announced yet.
