EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – New England Patriots quarterbacks coach John Hufnagel was hired as offensive coordinator for the New York Giants on Thursday.

“He is an outstanding football coach,” Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. “He has an old-fashioned work ethic. He goes to work and does his job. He is not a hype guy.”

The hiring completes Coughlin’s staff and reunites him with one of his former Jacksonville Jaguars assistants. Hufnagel, a former Penn State quarterback who started coaching in 1987, was quarterbacks coach for the Jaguars in 2002, Coughlin’s last season in Jacksonville.

In addition to working with two-time Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady last season, Hufnagel has coached Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia, Mark Brunell, Peyton Manning and Tim Couch. “Before I hired John in Jacksonville, I talked to Peyton Manning about him, and he gave him a solid recommendation,” Coughlin said.

Hufnagel started coaching in the Canadian Football League as a player-coach for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was the offensive coordinator for the Calgary Stampeders from 1990-96, helping Flutie and Garcia earn All-CFL honors.

In 1997, Hufnagel was named the head coach and general manager of the Arena Football League’s New Jersey Red Dogs, posting a 17-11 record in two seasons.

Hufnagel took over as Penn State’s quarterback midway through his sophomore season. He led the Nittany Lions to a 21-3 mark in his final two seasons. He played three NFL seasons with Denver and finished his career playing 12 seasons in Canada.

Coughlin was hired by the Giants less than a month ago, replacing Jim Fassel, who was fired after New York posted a 4-12 record.

AP-ES-02-05-04 1349EST