Jerry Reese is in 10th season as the Giants’ Senior Vice President and General Manager. In Reese’s first nine seasons as head of the franchise’s football operations, the Giants won Super Bowls XLII and XLVI, a 77-67 regular season record and an 8-1 postseason mark. During his tenure the Giants have won two NFC East championships, earned three postseason berths and finished .500 or better in six consecutive seasons.
The selection of Reese was historic, as he was the third African-American general manager in NFL history, joining Baltimore’s Ozzie Newsome and Houston’s Rick Smith. It was particularly poignant for Reese to learn of his appointment on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.
“I thought about that a lot and it was absolutely perfect timing for this to happen,” Reese said. “I don’t mean to sound cliché, but I really feel it’s my time to carry the torch. There are many people who went before me who really suffered through this process, and now it’s my time. I’m going to be successful – I have to be successful on a lot of levels.”
Reese continues to add players with an eye toward returning the Giants to the top of the NFL.
In 2015, free agents Shane Vereen, Dwayne Harris, Marshall Newhouse, Jonathan Casillas, and J.T. Thomas all signed on the same day, and each contributed significantly to the team.
The Giants’ 2015 draft also paid instant dividends. First-round selection Ereck Flowers started all 15 games in which he played, and is the team’s left tackle of the future. Safety Landon Collins, chosen on the second round, started all 16 games, and led the team with 108 tackles (80 solo).
In 2014, a strong Giants draft class was highlighted by first-round selection Odell Beckham Jr., who had the greatest season by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history. In just 12 games, Beckham caught 91 passes for 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns, all franchise rookie records. He was named the Associated Press’ Offensive Rookie of the Year, the first Giants player to be so honored in the 58-year history of the award. Beckham’s career totals of 187 catches, 2,755 yards, and 25 touchdowns are all Giants records for a player in his first two Giants seasons.
Andre Williams, the Giants’ leading rusher in 2014, was also a member of that draft class, as were Weston Richburg (now the team’s starting center), Jay Bromley, Nat Berhe, and Devon Kennard.
Reese helped put the Giants on the road to a championship soon after becoming general manager in 2007. In 2008, Reese’s ability to acquire important players helped the Giants win the NFC East title with a 12-4 record. When Tynes was injured in the preseason, Reese signed 21-year veteran John Carney, whose 143 points were then the second-most in Giants history. The Giants also drafted Kenny Phillips, Terrell Thomas and Mario Manningham, all of whom made significant contributions to successful teams.
Reese originally joined the Giants’ scouting department on Dec. 15, 1994. In the spring of 1999, he became Dave Gettleman’s assistant in the pro personnel department. In that position, he scouted the Giants’ upcoming opponents and evaluated NFL players. Reese was promoted to Director of Player Personnel on May 1, 2002.
Reese came to the Giants after a successful playing and coaching career at the University of Tennessee at Martin. During his college playing career (1981-84), Reese was honored as a two-time All-Gulf South Conference pick. He is among the leaders on UT-Martin’s all-time career list in interceptions. Reese led the team with seven interceptions in 1982 and was UT-Martin’s leading tackler in 1984 with 99. Reese was GSC Defensive Player of the Week three times during his career and was named team MVP following his senior season.
Following his playing career, Reese served as a student assistant and as a graduate assistant before becoming a full-time coach of the secondary from 1988-93. He moved to receivers coach and assumed the assistant head coach title in January of 1993.
In 2008, Reese was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.Reese has his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education and earned his master’s degree in education administration and supervision. In the fall of 1995, Reese was inducted into the U-T Martin Hall of Fame.
Reese, a native of Tiptonville, Tenn. is married to the former Gwen Moore. They have two children, Jasmyne Danielle and Jerry II.