The New York Giants need to find a head coach. They will interview at least two candidates this week to succeed Ben McAdoo, who was fired on Dec. 4 along with general manager Jerry Reese.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Giants submitted requests on Monday to interview two current members of the New England Patriots’ coaching staff: offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. The interviews are rumored to take place this week during the Patriots’ playoff bye. The Patriots are the No. 1 seed in the AFC Playoffs.
The Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, and Indianapolis Colts also requested permission to interview Patricia. The Lions fired Jim Caldwell while the Colts let go of Chuck Pagano and Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians retired.
The Giants went 3-13, worst record in the NFC, in the regular season. They own the second overall pick in this April’s NFL Draft. The team hired Dave Gettleman this past Friday to succeed Reese as general manager. Gettleman will have input during the search for a head coach but the ultimate decision on McAdoo’s successor will be made by co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch.
Mara said in an interview last week the Giants are seeking an established coach.
“I think, obviously, it has to be somebody who has either had head coaching experience or at least has been a coordinator for a significant period of time,” Mara said. “Because I think if you don’t have that, the odds are really stacked against you. It’s not impossible for you to succeed without that, but I think the more experience that that individual has as either a head coach or as a coordinator on either side of the ball, I think that is very important.”
McDaniels was head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2009-10, posting a record of 11-17. He is currently in his second stint as Patriots offensive coordinator. New England finished the regular season as the NFL’s top-ranked offense, gaining 394.2 yards per game. They scored 28.6 points per game, second only to the Los Angeles Rams’ 29.9.
Patricia has been with the Patriots since 2004. The former aeronautical engineer became the team’s defensive coordinator in 2012. New England finished 29th in total defense in the regular season, allowing 366 yards per game. However, they only allowed 18.5 points per game, fifth in the NFL.
The Giants are also expected to interview Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Philadelphia is the No. 1 seed in the NFC Playoffs and are on bye this week.
Schwartz was Lions head coach from 2009-13, inheriting a team that went 0-16. He led the Lions to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth in 2011. It was Detroit’s first winning season since 2000, first double-digit win total since 1995 and first postseason berth since 1999. Schwartz became Eagles defensive coordinator in 2016. Philadelphia ranked fourth in total defense (306.5 yards per game) and points allowed (18.4) in the regular season.
The Giants are rumored to be interested in Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur and Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, who worked with Gettleman during his tenure as Panthers general manager. Interim head coach and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who was previously head coach of the then-St. Louis Rams and in his second stint as Giants defensive coordinator, will also get an interview.
The Giants finished the regular season ranked 31st in points scored (15.6, only the winless Cleveland Browns scored fewer points), 31st in total defense (373.2 yards per game with only the Tampa Bay Buccaneers allowing more yards), and tied for fifth in points allowed (24.2).
The team is serious about cleaning house. They gave their assistant coaches permission to seek other NFL jobs Monday.
– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL and the New York Giants. Please like and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.