NFL

Giants adding Izzo for ‘special’ help

The Giants have employed many different special teams coaches and assistants but rarely have they added to their staff someone with the special teams pedigree of Larry Izzo. A special teams dynamo in his 14 years in the NFL, Izzo will make his coaching debut whenever this season begins as the Giants new assistant special teams coach.

Izzo, 36, had no previous ties to the Giants. He last played for the Jets in 2009 and before that was a linebacker and mostly a special teams ace for the Dolphins and Patriots, making three Pro Bowls. No one can be hired officially during the lockout, but once it is lifted, Izzo will come aboard, replacing Thomas McGaughey, who left to join the staff at LSU.

With the Giants, Izzo will assist Tom Quinn, the special teams coach who last season struggled to get his unit to play at a high level. The return game was shoddy — 31st in the league in both punt and kickoff returns — and not great on the other side of the ball, as they were second-worst in the NFL in punt return coverage, allowing nearly 15 yards per return. Having an erratic rookie punter, Matt Dodge, certainly did not help.

The Giants hope the return from injury of Domenik Hixon and the selection of Jerrel Jernigan in the third round of the NFL Draft will aid in jump-starting the return game. The presence of Izzo, a spirited special teams performer, should do that, too.

paul.schwartz@nypost.com