Incoming New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen held his first press conference with the team’s media pool on Wednesday and spoke about a topic many experts have criticized his predecessors over — analytics.
When looking for head coach, Schoen is seeking a like-minded partner who can embrace data and formulate strategies based on the numbers.
“I think intelligence is important,” said Schoen when asked about what qualities he looks for in a head coach. “I think being progressive in your approach to coaching, whether it’s with analytics, when to go, when not to go, when to punt. I think you’ve got be open to all that stuff.
“You’ve got to be open to sports performance, strength and conditioning. You’ve got to listen to the experts in their field. Those are some of the major qualities that I’m looking for as we move forward.”
When pressed for specifics, Schoen was ready and his explanation was a refreshing one considering the antiquated and stodgy environment the team had been operating under the past decade.
“I think we use ‘data innovation’ here instead of ‘analytics’ since it is a hot button. But I believe in it,” Schoen said. “Any tool that can help us win games or give us a competitive advantage, we’re going to continue to push the envelope and find out what those are.
“To me, if it’s going to help us in the draft process with the evaluations or the free agency process with the evaluations or contract value and who do these players compare to, if it’s going to help us with our practice schedule to keep guys healthy, keep guys on the field, if guys are running too much or working too hard or there are signs you have to be open-minded to the information.
“It’s a piece of the puzzle. It’s not going to drive the entire process, but it’s another tool that we need to use in order to get whatever competitive advantage we can and make the best decisions we can for the New York Giants.”
Meanwhile, during an appearance on Tiki and Tierney, Schoen said the team’s technological approach will extend well beyond analytics. He intends to update their draft room — which he says still has its original magnet board — and transform it into a digital workspace. He also intends to evaluates the training facility and seek other upgrades around the facility.
Welcome to the 21st century, Giant fans. It took long enough.
