Ray Handley, key member of Giants’ Super Bowl coaching staffs, dead at 81

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The New York Giants are mourning the loss of Ray Handley, a former assistant coach who later led the franchise as head coach. He was 81.

The Giants said Handley's family member, Rob Handley, confirmed the former coach's passing. Details on a cause of death were not immediately made available.

Handley first joined the Giants coaching staff in 1984, working as an assistant under then-head coach Bill Parcells. During his seven-year stint as the team's offensive backfield coach, Handley played a role in the Giants winning two Super Bowl titles.

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New York Giants head coach Ray Handley on the sideline against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Tampa Stadium on Nov. 24, 1991, in Tampa, Florida. (USA TODAY Sports)

Parcells retired following the Giants’ second championship in that run. Handley was elevated to the head coach position in 1991.

But, Parcells’ success ultimately proved difficult for Handley to follow. One of his first key decisions was naming Jeff Hostetler over Phil Simms as the starting quarterback during training camp in 1991. Simms had flourished as the starter the previous season until suffering a leg injury before Hostetler took over to finish the Super Bowl run.

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The Giants went 8-8 in Handley’s debut season and fell to 6-10 the following year. Handley was dismissed after the 1992 season and was replaced by former Denver Broncos coach Dan Reeves.

New York Giants head coach Ray Handley looks on from the sidelines during an NFL game circa 1992 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Handley was the head coach of the New York