Giants hire Craig Johnson as running backs coach

One of the vacancies on the New York Giants' coaching staff has been filled. The Giants today announced the hiring of long-time NFL assistant Craig Johnson as running backs coach.

Johnson, 53, is entering his 32nd year in coaching and 15th in the NFL. He was the Minnesota Vikings' quarterbacks coach the previous three seasons.

Prior to working with the Vikings, Johnson was on the staff of the Tennessee Titans from 200-2009. He served as offensive quality control coach, was quarterbacks coach from 2002-2009 and served as running backs coach in 2009 and 2010. He was also assistant head coach in 2010.

"This is a veteran coach that has coached some great players, like Steve McNair," head coach Tom Coughlin said. "He's been around a while and has experience as a quarterbacks coach, as a running backs coach and he's been a coordinator in college."

The Giants still have a vacancy at tight ends coach. There have also been reports that quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan may be reassigned.

"I think (Johnson) is an excellent teacher and his versatility is going to add a lot to our staff and, of course, to the running backs room," Coughlin said. "He'll be an excellent contributor for the coordinator with ideas. His interview was very impressive as we put him on the board. He really did an outstanding job with protections. And he's talked long and hard about ball security. Pass protection and ball security are both very important to me."

Johnson replaces Jerald Ingram, who was the team's running backs coach from 2004-13.

"I'm really excited about the opportunity to join such a great franchise," Johnson said. "I've always admired coach Coughlin during the many years I've coached against him. I'll come here to do my part to help the Giants get to and win a Super Bowl."