Ernie Accorsi was a longtime American football executive. He was best known for serving as general manager of the New York Giants from 1998 to 2006. During his time with the team, he made several major decisions, including hiring Tom Coughlin and trading for quarterback Eli Manning.
Accorsi retired before the Giants won the Super Bowl in 2007 and 2011. Still, many of the players and leaders he helped bring to New York became key parts of those championship teams. Accorsi died on September 19, 2026, at age 84.
Ernie Accorsi Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ernest William Accorsi Jr. |
| Born | October 29, 1941 |
| Birthplace | Hershey, Pennsylvania |
| Profession | NFL executive |
| College | Wake Forest University |
| Giants role | General manager, 1998–2006 |
| Known for | Eli Manning trade and Tom Coughlin hiring |
| Giants honor | Ring of Honor, 2016 |
| Died | September 19, 2026, aged 84 |
Early Life and Football Career
Accorsi was born in Hershey, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 1963. While at Wake Forest, he worked in sports media. He was sports editor of the Old Gold and Black and sports director for WFDD.
He later worked as a sportswriter for the Charlotte News, The Baltimore Sun and The Philadelphia Inquirer. He also worked in college athletics at St. Joseph’s University and Penn State.
Accorsi entered the NFL in 1970 as the public relations director of the Baltimore Colts. He later became an assistant general manager and then the Colts’ general manager in 1982. He held that job through 1983.
Cleveland Browns Career
Accorsi joined the Cleveland Browns in 1984 and became the team’s general manager in 1985.
One of his important moves was helping the Browns select quarterback Bernie Kosar in the supplemental draft. During his time with Cleveland, the Browns won four AFC Central Division titles in five seasons.
The team also reached the AFC Championship Game in 1986, 1987 and 1989.
Accorsi left the Browns in 1992. He later worked on Baltimore’s efforts to get an NFL expansion team. He also briefly worked as chief financial officer of the Baltimore Orioles.
In 1994, he joined the New York Giants as assistant general manager under George Young.
Ernie Accorsi and the New York Giants
Accorsi became the Giants’ general manager on January 7, 1998. During his nine seasons in the role, the Giants won two NFC East titles and reached the playoffs four times. The team also played in Super Bowl XXXV after the 2000 season.
One of Accorsi’s biggest moves came during the 2004 NFL Draft. The San Diego Chargers selected Eli Manning with the first overall pick. Manning did not want to play for San Diego.
Accorsi worked out a trade that sent Manning to the Giants. New York sent Philip Rivers and other draft assets to San Diego as part of the deal.
Manning later became the Giants’ longtime starting quarterback. He led the team to Super Bowl wins in the 2007 and 2011 seasons.
Accorsi also hired Tom Coughlin as the Giants’ head coach in 2004. Coughlin later coached the Giants to both of those Super Bowl victories.
Several players selected during Accorsi’s time with the Giants also became important to the team. They included Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck, Chris Snee and Brandon Jacobs.
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Giants Legacy
Accorsi retired after the 2006 season. The Giants won Super Bowl XLII the next season by defeating the previously undefeated New England Patriots. They won another Super Bowl against New England in Super Bowl XLVI four years later.
Accorsi was no longer the Giants’ general manager when those titles were won. However, he received championship rings for both victories.
The Giants inducted Accorsi into their Ring of Honor in 2016. He became only the second general manager to receive that honor from the team.
Wake Forest also honored him by placing him in its Sports Hall of Fame in 2009.
Personal Life, Net Worth and Final Years
Reliable public information about Accorsi’s wife, children and private family life is limited. There is also no reliable public source that confirms his personal net worth. Online estimates should be treated carefully because they do not provide verified financial records.
The Giants announced that Accorsi died on September 19, 2026, surrounded by his family. The sources reviewed for this profile did not give a cause of death.
Who was Ernie Accorsi?
Ernie Accorsi was a longtime NFL executive. He served as general manager of the Baltimore Colts, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants.
How old was Ernie Accorsi when he died?
Accorsi was 84 years old when he died on September 19, 2026. He was born on October 29, 1941.
What was Ernie Accorsi best known for?
He was best known for trading for Eli Manning during the 2004 NFL Draft and hiring Tom Coughlin as the Giants’ head coach.
Did Ernie Accorsi win a Super Bowl as a general manager?
No. He retired after the 2006 season, before the Giants won Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. He later received championship rings for both victories.
Was Ernie Accorsi in the Giants Ring of Honor?
Yes. The Giants inducted Accorsi into their Ring of Honor in 2016.
What was Ernie Accorsi’s net worth?
No reliable public source confirms Accorsi’s personal net worth. Online estimates are not supported by clear financial records.
Sources
Ernie Accorsi
Giants mourn loss of former GM and Ring of Honor …
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