New York Giants: A Dark Horse Candidate For Head Coach
The New York Giants are on the search for a new head coach with Tom Coughlin stepping down; could his former defensive coordinator take over for him?
The New York Giants finished the 2015 season with a 6-10 record and out of playoff contention for the fourth straight season. Sunday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles was the end of Tom Coughlin’s 12-year run as Head Coach of the team.
Speculation about his potential replacement began weeks ago. Some reports have the New York Giants targeting New Orleans Saints’ Head Coach Sean Payton, who spent time as the Giants’ Offensive Coordinator under former Head Coach Jim Fassel.
Other reports have Josh Mcdaniels, the former Denver Broncos Head Coach and current New England Patriots Offensive Coordinator getting the job. Some believe they will promote current Offensive Coordinator Ben Mcadoo to the head spot.
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I think they might go in an entirely different direction. He’s someone who has had success working for the Giants, and has head coaching experience. Can you guess who?
The New York Giants are an organization that that has an organizational philosophy and structure in place that has been set for years. They have followed the same patterns for hiring coaches and General Managers whenever they have had to.
Their last two hires (Tom Coughlin in 2004, and Jim Fassel in 1997) both had previous head coaching experience, and had worked for the New York Giants previously as assistant coaches; Coughlin was the team’s Wide Receivers Coach, and Jim Fasssel was their Quarterback’s coach. Likewise their last two General Managers, Ernie Acccorsi and Jerry Reese, were promoted from within.
Who else fits the criteria of familiarity with the organization, and previous success as a coach? Former Defensive Coordinator Perry Fewell does.
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When the Giants replaced Fewell with Steve Spagnuolo this past season, many were expecting a return to the aggressive style that would improve the team’s performance. Instead, the New York Giants defense ranked at or near the bottom of every defensive category including total yards given up (worst in the league), points allowed per game, and sacks (ranked 30th) in the league.
It was not a coaching issue, but a personnel issue that was at the root of their struggles with Fewell in 2014 season, and continued to plague them this season. While Spagnuolo gets a lot of credit for being the Defensive Coordinator when the New York Giants beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 42, don’t forget that Fewell was the Defensive Coordinator when they won the Super Bowl four years later in 2012.
He was previously the interim Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills in 2009 when he went 3-4. Coaching seven games as a interim Head Coach gives a team a good sample of their work to determine whether or not to retain the interim Head Coach or not. While he didn’t get the full time job, he was a strong candidate.
His success has continued into this season. The Washington Redskins, his current team where he serves as the Defensive Backs Coach, clinched the NFC East division crown in his first season on their staff. He has been praised for his contributions to the defensive staff of the team.
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His body of work certainly should garner interest. He has attracted interest before as a hot assistant. He has interviewed before for Head Coaching jobs in Denver, Buffalo, and Chicago.In total, he has over 15 years of experience, has had success, and knows the Giants way. Don’t be surprised if he is interviewed and hired.