Former Giants Head Coach Ray Handley Dies at 81: A Quiet Architect of New York’s Ground Game Legacy
Ray Handley, a key figure in the New York Giants' coaching history and a quiet force behind two Super Bowl runs, passed away on February 5 at the age of 81, according to his nephew Rob.
While Handley’s time as the Giants’ head coach in 1991 and 1992 didn’t bring the success fans had hoped for following Bill Parcells’ departure, his impact on the franchise runs deeper than wins and losses. He was part of the coaching core that helped transform the Giants from perennial underachievers into a championship-caliber team-and his fingerprints are all over the ground-and-pound identity that defined that era of Giants football.
Handley joined the Giants in 1984 when Parcells brought him on as the offensive backfield coach. That move would prove pivotal.
Under Handley’s guidance, New York’s run game flourished. Joe Morris, a compact but relentless runner, became a household name, rushing for 35 touchdowns over two seasons.
Later, Ottis Anderson-thought by many to be near the end of his career after his stint with the Cardinals-found new life in Handley’s system. Anderson became the workhorse of a Super Bowl-winning offense, anchoring a physical, clock-controlling attack that wore down defenses and defined the Giants’ style.
Before his NFL days, Handley built a reputation as a versatile and sharp-minded coach at the collegiate level, with stints at Army, Air Force, and Stanford. That background in developing talent and understanding both sides of the ball gave him a unique edge when he arrived in New York. He wasn’t just plugging in plays-he was building a philosophy, one rooted in discipline, toughness, and maximizing the talent on hand.
In 1991, after Parcells stepped down and wide receivers coach Tom Coughlin left to take the Boston College job, the Giants made a surprising decision: they promoted Handley to head coach over defensive coordinator Bill Belichick. It was a bold move, and one that came with sky-high expectations.
Handley’s tenure as head coach, however, was rocky. He posted a 14-18 record over two seasons and struggled to navigate a delicate quarterback situation between Phil Simms and Jeff Hostetler. While his time at the helm didn’t produce another title, it’s clear that his earlier contributions as an assistant carried significant weight in the team’s success during the Parcells era.
After being replaced by Dan Reeves, Handley stepped away from football-and from the public eye-almost entirely. He relocated to the Lake Tahoe area and lived a life of quiet privacy.
In fact, the only time he resurfaced publicly was in 2008, when a reporter managed to track down his unlisted phone number ahead of Super Bowl XLII. Handley’s response was as succinct as it was telling: “No, I’m not the least bit interested.”
Ray Handley may not have had a long or headline-grabbing run as a head coach, but his influence on the Giants’ identity during their rise to prominence is undeniable. He helped shape one of the most physical, effective rushing attacks in franchise history and played a vital role in two championship teams.
Our thoughts are with the Handley family during this difficult time.