EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Leslie Frazier, who coordinated the NFL's top-ranked defense in 2021 and whose 23-year NFL coaching career includes a stint as a head coach, this morning became the second candidate to interview for the Giants' head coaching position.
Frazier, 62, spoke via video conferencing with team president John Mara, chairman Steve Tisch and Joe Schoen, who was hired yesterday as the Giants’ new general manager.
Schoen and Frazier joined the Buffalo Bills in 2017 and spent the last five seasons working together, the former as the team's assistant general manager and the latter as defensive coordinator (and assistant head coach since 2020).
The Giants yesterday interviewed Brian Daboll, who has been Buffalo's offensive coordinator since 2018.
Frazier earned a Super Bowl ring as both a player and an assistant coach.
This season, Frazier's defense was a driving force as the Bills finished 11-6 and won their second consecutive AFC East title. Buffalo defeated New England in a wild card game last week and will visit the defending conference champion Kansas City Chiefs in a divisional playoff game tomorrow.
The Bills' defense finished first in the NFL in several statistical categories. The unit allowed the fewest points-per-game (17.0), fewest total yards (272.8) and passing yards (163.0) a game, fewest yards-per-play (4.6) and first downs a game (16.8) and the lowest opposing third-down conversion percentage (30.8 on 66 successes in 214 attempts). Buffalo also tied for third with 30 takeaways and has finished in the top 10 in that category in each of Frazier's five seasons as coordinator.
The defense compiled those numbers without a single player getting elected to the Pro Bowl.
Frazier was the Minnesota Vikings' interim head coach for the final six games of the 1999 season. After he led the team to three victories in six games, the interim tag was removed. In his second full season in 2012, running back Adrian Peterson was the NFL's most valuable player and the Vikings earned a playoff berth with a 10-6 record but lost a wild card game to division rival Green Bay. Frazier's last season with the Vikings was 2013 when they finished 5-10-1.
He spent two seasons as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive coordinator and one as the Baltimore Ravens' secondary coach before joining the Bills.
Frazier began his career as the head coach at Trinity University – now known as Trinity International University – in Illinois from 1988-96. He was the defensive backs coach at Illinois from 1997-98.
In 1999, Frazier got his first NFL job when the Philadelphia Eagles hired him to be their defensive backs coach. He stayed four years before joining the Cincinnati Bengals as their defensive coordinator in 2003. Frazier was a defensive assistant with the Indianapolis Colts in 2005 and defensive backs and assistant head coach when they won Super Bowl XLI the following season. He joined the Vikings as defensive coordinator in 2007 and added the title of assistant head coach the following year, roles he kept until becoming interim head coach.
Frazier's five-year NFL playing career began in 1981, when he signed with the Chicago Bears as a free agent from Alcorn State. A defensive back, he became a standout player on one of the NFL's finest defenses. He led Chicago in interceptions in three consecutive seasons. When the Bears were 15-1 and won Super Bowl XX in 1985, Frazier had a team-high six picks as the Bears recorded 61 takeaways and held opponents to 12.4 points per game. But he tore his ACL during a trick punt return in the Super Bowl rout of New England and never played again.
Frazier finished his career with 20 interceptions for 343 return yards and two touchdowns.
Frazier and his wife, Gale have three children: Kieron, Chantel and Corey.
View photos of the career of Giants head coaching candidate and Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator/assistant head coach Leslie Frazier.
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier takes the field during practice before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier stands on the sidelines during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier takes the field during practice before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier takes the field during practice before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the New England Patriots, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walks the sideline before an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier talks to players on the bench during an NFL game against the Washington Football Team, Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Bills defeated Washington 43-21. (Kevin Sabitus via AP)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Buffalo Bills defensive assistant Leslie Frazier catches a ball before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier on the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, center, watches as players warm up before an NFL football game between the Bills and the Tennessee Titans Monday, Oct. 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walks on the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walks on the field before an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott, left, talks with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier before an NFL football game against the Washington Football Team Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes (55) and defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walk off the field after a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier looks up from the sideline during a NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 in Detroit. The Bills won the game 24-20. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, left, talks with Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier on the field before a preseason NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in Orchard Park, N.Y., Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier looks up from the sideline during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, August 10, 2016 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Vikings won the game 17-10. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Buffalo Bills Defensive Coordinator Leslie Frazier walks the field before an NFL divisional round football game against the Baltimore Ravens Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds (49) talks with defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier during the first half of an NFL football against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Pittsburgh. The Bills won 17-10. (Perry Knotts via AP)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier looks up from the sideline during a NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Thursday, August 10, 2016 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Vikings won the game 17-10. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walks on the field prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walks on the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2018, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier watches drills during an NFL football team minicamp practice in Orchard Park, N.Y., Tuesday, June 12, 2018. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier looks up from the sideline during a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, November 19, 2017 in Carson, Calif. The Chargers won the game 54-24. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier walks on the field prior to an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Dec. 3, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Patriots won 23-3. (AP Photo/Rich Barnes)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier watches the team practice before, an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, left, talks to free safety Jordan Poyer during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier during an NFL football training camp in Pittsford, N.Y., Saturday, July 29, 2017. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, left, talks to free safety Jordan Poyer during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Carson, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, center, talks to safety Micah Hyde (23) during the first half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier claps during pregame player warmups before the 2015 week 14 regular season NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015 in Tampa, Fla. The Saints won the game 24-17. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier looks up from the sideline during a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, September 7, 2014 in Tampa. The Panthers won the game 20-14. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier looks up from the sideline during a preseason NFL football game against the Buffalo Bills, Saturday, August 23, 2014 in Orchard Park, NY. The Buccaneers won the game 27-14. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier looks up from the sideline during a NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers, Sunday, September 7, 2014 in Tampa. The Panthers won the game 20-14. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier watches action in the first half of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier is shown during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 30, 2011. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Nov. 20, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy King)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Sept. 23, 2012, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on from the sidelines during a week 10 NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Thursday, November 7, 2013. The Vikings defeated the Redskins 34-27. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier runs down the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier walks off the field after an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 14-13. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier shown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier congratulates Minnesota Vikings cornerback Xavier Rhodes (29) following their NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Wembley Stadium, London, Sunday,Sept. 29, 2013. The Vikings defeated the Steelers 34-27. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday, Oct. 25, 2012, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy King)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on from the sidelines during a week 12 NFL football game against the Chicago Bears in Chicago, Illinois on November 25, 2012. The Bears defeated the Vikings 28-10. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier gestures during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier slaps hands with guard Charlie Johnson during an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier greets a player on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington,Texas on November 3,2013.
(AP Photo Tom DiPace)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier walks to the field before an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier stands on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings coach Leslie Frazier watches from the sideline during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier walks on the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier walks onto Lambeau Field prior to an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, left, reacts with punter Jeff Locke during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 14-13. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Andy King)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier congratulates tackle Letroy Guion (98) following their NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Wembley Stadium, London, Sunday,Sept. 29, 2013. The Vikings defeated the Steelers 34-27. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on during the NFL week 16 football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won the game 42-14. (AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier watches from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier watches as players warm up before an NFL preseason football game against the San Francisco 49ers in San Francisco, Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
Minnesota Vikings' Jarius Wright is congratulated by head coach Leslie Frazier, left, and Adrian Peterson, right, after scoring against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier talks into his headset during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants Monday, Oct. 21, 2013 in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, center, watches from the sidelines during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 14-13. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) is congratulated by head coach Leslie Frazier after a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier runs down the field with the team during practice at NFL football training camp, Saturday, July 28, 2012, in Mankato, Minn. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on during the NFL week 16 football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2013, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Bengals won the game 42-14. (AP Photo/Joe Robbins)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, center, greets players on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, center, watches action from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2013, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks to the scoreboard against the Seattle Seahawks in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier is seen on the field before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on during the second half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier, center, along with center John Sullivan (65) and running back Adrian Peterson (28) watch from the sidelines during the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Minneapolis, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier shown during rookie mini-camp Friday, May 4, 2012, in Eden Prairie, Minn. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier reacts to a play in the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Minneapolis, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Andy King)
Minnesota Vikings head football coach Leslie Frazier congratulates tackle Matt Kalil (75) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier during the first half of an NFL football game between the Vikings and the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Genevieve Ross)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier walks to the field during NFL football training camp, Friday, July 26, 2013, in Mankato, Minn. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier looks on before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2013, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier points across the field before an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Minnesota Vikings interim coach Leslie Frazier directs his team in the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010, in Philadelphia. Minnesota won 24-14. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)
Minnesota Vikings interim head coach Leslie Frazier watches the action on the field during the first half of an NFL football game against the Washington Redskins in Landover, Md., Sunday, Nov. 28, 2010. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier follows practice at the NFL football team's training camp in Mankato, Minn., Monday, July 30, 2007.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier works with Cedric Griffin at the NFL football team's training camp in Mankato, Minn. Monday, July 30, 2007.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier greets an unidentified player at the NFL football team's training camp, in Mankato, Minn., Monday, July 30, 2007.(AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier discusses strategy with defensive back Reggie Myles (center) and safety Mark Roman (right). The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 17-14, in an NFL football game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Sunday, Nov, 2, 2003. (Kirby Lee via AP)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier discusses strategy with defensive back Reggie Myles.The Arizona Cardinals defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 17-14, in an NFL football game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz. on Sunday, Nov, 2, 2003. (Kirby Lee via AP)
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