EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Kris Richard today became the first candidate interviewed by the Giants for their vacant head coaching position.
Richard, 40, met with team president John Mara, general manager Dave Gettleman, vice president of football operations Kevin Abrams, as well as other staff.
Pat Shurmur was dismissed as head coach on Monday.
Richard spent the past two seasons in the NFC East as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach.
In 2019, Dallas' pass defense ranked 10th in the NFL, allowing 223.5 yards a game. The Cowboys allowed 21 touchdown passes, tied for the league's eighth-lowest figure and about four fewer than the NFL average.
The previous season, the Cowboys finished 13th in pass defense, allowing 234.7 yards a game, and 22 touchdown passes. Three important contributors to the pass defense, end DeMarcus Lawrence, cornerback Byron Jones and rookie linebacker Leighton Vander Esch, were selected to the Pro Bowl. Richard moved Jones back to corner after the player had spent the majority of his time at safety.
Prior to joining the Cowboys, Richard spent eight seasons on the coaching staff of the Seattle Seahawks, for whom he helped develop the famed "Legion of Boom" secondary that included Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner and Byron Maxwell.
After beginning his tenure in Seattle in 2010 as the team's assistant defensive backs coach, Richard spent one season as the cornerbacks coach and two as the defensive backs coach. In 2015, he began a three-year stint as the Seahawks' defensive coordinator.
Under Richard's tutelage in Seattle, Thomas earned five Pro Bowl nominations and four AP All-Pro (three first-team, one second-team) selections, Sherman was a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro (three first-team, one second-team) and Chancellor a four-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro.
In Richard's first season as coordinator in 2015, Seattle led the NFL in scoring defense for the fourth consecutive season, becoming the first defense in the Super Bowl era to accomplish the feat. The unit led the league by allowing just 81.5 rushing yards a game and a franchise-record low 1,304 yards.
Richard's 2013 secondary was one of the most dominant in NFL history. The Seahawks ranked first in the NFL in passing defense (172.0 yards per game), interceptions (28) and opposing quarterback passer rating (63.4). In Seattle's Super Bowl XLVIII victory against Denver in MetLife Stadium, Seattle's secondary held Peyton Manning to 280 passing yards – 60 less than his regular-season average - and a 73.5 rating (after he had posted 115.1 rating during the season).
During Richard's tenure, Seattle's defense ranked in the top five in five consecutive seasons (2012-16). The Seahawks also became the fourth team in NFL history to lead the league in fewest points and yards allowed in back-to-back seasons (2013-14).
Prior to Seattle, Richard spent two seasons (2008-09) as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, USC, working with the defensive backs.
Originally a third-round draft choice (85th overall) by Seattle, Richard played in 38 games at cornerback with one start in three years for the Seahawks before playing one season in San Francisco. At USC, he was a four-year letter winner from 1998-2001 and a started in his final three seasons. Richard had eight career interceptions and returned three for touchdowns, along with 125 tackles, 19 deflections and two fumble recoveries.
Richard received his bachelor's degree in sociology from USC in 2002. He and his wife, Chandra, have one daughter, Alyssa, and two sons, Aiden and Asher.
View photos of Cowboys passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Kris Richard, who interviewed for the Giants' head coach position.
Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard talks on the sideline during a 2018 NFL week 17 regular season game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 36-35. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator Kris Richard (center) talks with his defensive backs on the bench during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Detroit. The Cowboys defeated the Lions, 35-27. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator Kris Richard before an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, in Chicago. The Bears defeated the Cowboys, 31-24. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator Kris Richard during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Detroit. The Cowboys defeated the Lions, 35-27. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator Kris Richard before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Detroit. The Cowboys defeated the Lions, 35-27. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator Kris Richard during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Monday, Nov. 4, 2019, in East Rutherford, NJ. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 38-17. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys passing game coordinator Kris Richard (center) talks with defensive backs on the bench during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in New Orleans. The Saints defeated the Cowboys, 12-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys defensive passing game coordinator Kris Richard calls defensive signals during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles, 37-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys passing game coordinator Kris Richard signals to the defense during an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019, in New Orleans. The Saints defeated the Cowboys, 12-10. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard watches a play during an NFL football training camp Tuesday, August 13, 2019 in Oxnard, Calif. (James D Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard calls a defensive coverage during an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. The Cowboys defeated the Dolphins, 31-6. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard (center) goes over plays on a Microsoft Surface tablet with defensive backs on the bench during a 2019 NFL week 1 preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, August 10, 2019 in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Cowboys, 17-9. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard (right) shows cornerback Mike Jackson Sr. (33) coverage tips during the team's NFL football rookie minicamp Saturday, May 11, 2019 in Frisco, Texas. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard talks to the defensive backs on the sideline during a 2018 NFL week 17 regular season game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Cowboys defeated the Giants, 36-35. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys secondard coach Kris Richard (right) slaps hands with safety Kavon Frazier (35) during organized team activity at the NFL football team's training facility in Frisco, Texas, Wednesday, May 30, 2018. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard talks during the team's NFL football rookie minicamp Saturday, May 11, 2019 in Frisco, Texas. (James D. Smith via AP)
Dallas Cowboys secondary coach Kris Richard during an NFL football organized team activity session at the team's training facility Tuesday, May 28, 2019, in Frisco, Texas. (James D. Smith via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard passes a football during warmups before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Kris Richard, right, greets injured Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, left, before an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Seattle. Richard is the former defensive coordinator for the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard greets strong safety Delano Hill (42) before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Kris Richard, right, greets injured Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin, left, before an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2018, in Seattle. Richard is the former defensive coordinator for the Seahawks. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard greets players before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard passes a football during warmups before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Byron Maxwell is hugged on the sideline by defensive coordinator Kris Richard, right, after Maxwell intercepted a pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard warms up his players prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard walks the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard passes a football during warmups before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard warms up his players prior to an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Nov. 9, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard talks to reporters following an organized team activity Tuesday, May 26, 2015, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) and cornerback Richard Sherman (25) talk with defensive coordinator Kris Richard left, during NFL football practice, Friday, June 9, 2017, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard, left, talks with rookie running back Chris Carson, center, during an NFL football training camp, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard watches pregame warmups before an NFL preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs, August 25, 2017 in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Chiefs 26-13. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Seattle Seahawks secondary coach Kris Richard watches from the sideline during an NFL Championship Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers on January 18, 2015 at CenturyLink Field. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 28-22 in overtime in the NFC Championship Playoff Game. (AP Photo/Kevin Terrell)
Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on October 22, 2015. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 20-3. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Seattle Seahawks defensive end Kris Richard watches from the sideline during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles on November 20, 2016. The Seahawks defeated the Eagles 26-15. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
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