New York Giants head coach search: 15 candidates to take over Big Blue

[Tempest]

So here is a great list of head coaching candidates, some we already covered and others flying under the radar.

 

http://www.syracuse.com/axeman/index.ssf/2018/01/new_york_giants_head_coach_search_candidates_to_take_over_big_blue.html

 

Fans of the New York Giants have known for weeks that they were getting a new head coach to lead Big Blue in 2018.

Ben McAdoo and ex-GM Jerry Reese were fired by the team in December and the Giants finished 3-13 in 2017 following an 11-5 season and a playoff appearance in 2016.

New Giants GM Dave Gettleman and owners John Mara and Steve Tisch are knee-deep in the process of interviewing candidates and looking for the right man for the job.

Mara says he would prefer a candidate with more experience this time around. McAdoo was hired as head coach even though he had no prior head coaching experience and limited experience as a coordinator.

"I think it has to be somebody that has either had head-coaching experience or at least has been a coordinator for a significant period of time," Mara said. "I think if you don't have that, the odds are really stacked against you.

"It's not impossible to succeed without that, but I think the more experience that individual has, as either a head coach, or as a coordinator on either side of the ball, I think it's very important."

Josh McDaniels

The Giants have requested permission to talk to Josh McDaniels, the offensive coordinator of the New England Patriots, for the job. While his stint as head coach of the Denver Broncos was not a success, McDaniels is considered one of the NFL's top offensive minds and is a lead candidate for several openings in the NFL.

McDaniels can selective about his next head coaching job seeing that he is in line to replace Bill Belichick in New England. The Giants have to rebuild the offensive line and will be searching for a quarterback in the NFL Draft with the No. 2 overall pick. Will McDaniels want to be part of that rebuild?

Matt Patricia

The Giants have also requested permission to speak with Matt Patricia, the Central New York native and current defensive coordinator of the Patriots. The question with Patricia is one that hangs on many candidates from New England: How much of the Patriots' success has been him, and how much has it been Bill Belichick?

The 2017 season marks Patricia's 14th in New England, and sixth as defensive coordinator. In that time, he's gone from a little-known assistant to an NFL head coaching candidate. The Giants better move fast if Patricia is a serious candidate. He is reported to be high on the list for the Detroit Lions job.

Steve Wilks

The Giants have requested permission to interview Steve Wilks, the defensive coordinator of the Carolina Panthers.

Wilks and the Panthers will play at the Saints in the NFC wild card round on Sunday, so the Giants cannot interview Wilks until after that game. Wilks has extensive college and NFL coaching experience, mostly as an assistant, although he was the head coach at Savannah State for one year, going 5-6 in 1999. He worked with the Bears and Chargers before joining the Panthers' staff in 2012. 2017 was Wilks' first season as a defensive coordinator in the NFL. The Panthers finished with the NFL's No. 7 total defense ranking. Carolina is ranked third against the run and 18th against the pass. The Panthers are tied for 11th in scoring defense.

Frank Reich

The Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator (and former Buffalo Bills QB) will have his name circulate the head coaching carousel again with his Eagles offense leading the NFL in points and his role in developing quarterback Carson Wentz into a star. With the Giants offensive weapons and the chance to develop a quarterback taken with the No. 2 overall pick, Reich could see the Giants' job as an intriguing one if he becomes a serious candidate for the job.

Eagles head coach Doug Pederson thinks Reich is ready for the next step. “He’s got the right demeanor,” Pederson said. “He’s a players’ coach. He relates well to the players. He does a great job with the offensive staff, and he’s got the right demeanor."

Jim Schwartz

Jim Schwartz, currently the defensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, took the Detroit Lions to the playoffs in 2011 as head coach. He had a 29-51 record in Detroit overall. Schwartz has coordinated strong defenses in Buffalo, Tennessee and Philly. Some national reporters have connected Gettleman to Schwartz. If the Giants want a defensive-minded head coach, Schwartz should be high on their list. One of the questions that surrounds Schwartz include a reputation as being a hot head.

Dave Toub

A return to New York could be welcome for Toub, a native of Mahopac. Toub, currently with the Kansas City Cheifs, is regarded as one of the best special teams coaches in the NFL. Could he follow the same path of former Andy Reid special teams assistant John Harbaugh and land a head coaching gig? Toub has a connection with Gettleman as a fellow Springfield College alum and has a long relationship with Giants interim coach Steve Spagnuolo.

Toub was interviewed by several teams last year but did not receive a formal offer. It's also worth noting that Gettleman has immense respect for ex-Bills head coach Marv Levy, who once made the leap from Chiefs' special teams coach to head coach.

Mike Smith

Smith, the former Atlanta Falcons head coach, was the runner-up to McAdoo in 2016 so he is worth a mention here.

Smith was 66-46 in seven seasons in Atlanta, but 1-4 in the playoffs. Smith, currently the defensive coordinator in Tampa Bay, led a defense that finished last in the NFL by allowing 378.1 yards per game. The Bucs also had a league-worst 21 sacks.

Pat Shurmur

If the Giants want to stay on the path of an offensive-minded head coach who works well with quarterbacks, Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur should get consideration. While the Vikings are seen as a defensive-minded team, Shurmur has worked wonders with Case Keenum at quarterback. The Vikings have the NFL's 11th-ranked offense. Shurmur has head coaching experience with the Cleveland Browns (9-23) and as the Philadelphia Eagles interim coach. He has lengthy coordinator experience.

Brian Kelly

Brian Kelly has long been rumored a potential Giants candidate due to the team's connections to Notre Dame.

Kelly rebounded at Notre Dame with a solid 10-3 season in 2017 after landing on the hot seat with a 4-8 season in 2016. One big hang up? Kelly on record as saying he'd want complete personnel control if he went to the NFL - something the Giants can't give him.

Nick Saban

Nick Saban's name will come up to almost any NFL head coach opening, but there are valid connections to the Giants. The team nearly hired him 1997 and 2004 and there was a reported conversation with the Giants in 2016 right before they hired Ben McAdoo. Hiring Saban, a five-time national championship head coach, would likely cost the Giants close to $100 million in buyouts, salary and staff hires. Saban has a 15-3 record in national title games, CFB playoffs, and SEC title games. Is Saban, who led Alabama to another national title game appearance on Monday night, worth it?

Todd Haley

Todd Haley's first tenure as a head coach in Kansas City was messy (19-26) but he has revived his career in Pittsburgh as Steelers offensive coordinator. Haley, like McDaniels and McAdoo (at the time of his hire) would give the Giants another forward-thinking offensive head coach. Haley has bumped heads with Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger and head coach Mike Tomlin at times. His well-chornicled temper was a problem at times with the Chiefs, but there is no arguing his results with the Steelers, who are rated as the No. 3 offense in the NFL.

Teryl Austin

Teryl Austin, the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions, was among the candidates interviewed in 2016 before McAdoo was hired in New York. He's interviewed for nine head coaching jobs since he joined Jim Caldwell's staff in 2014, and nearly landed the one in Atlanta. He finished runner-up to Dan Quinn, who wound up taking the Falcons to the Super Bowl this year. Austin will interview for the Lions' opening on Tuesday. Austin is in his fourth year as Lions coordinator. The Lions had the 27th-rated defense in the NFL in 2017.

John Fox

The timing for John Fox, the former Giants defensive coordinator, is bad considering he was just fired in Chicago after a 14-34 run with the Bears. He owns a career record of 133-123 in 16 seasons as an NFL head coach.

That said, Fox took the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl and was well-liked while in New York and fits the experience criteria cited by Mara and ownership.

Jon Gruden

Here is the requisite reference to Jon Gruden taking another NFL head coaching gig.

Gruden, who has been out of coaching for nine years while serving as the lead analyst on ESPN's 'Monday Night Football,' has been strongly linked to the Oakland Raiders opening. He was 57-55 as head coach of the Raiders and Buccaneers, winning a Super Bowl with Tampa Bay in 2002. Could a Giants club with a slew of offensive weapons and a top-3 pick to pursue a quarterback of the future convince him?

David Shaw

Stanford head coach David Shaw is linked to NFL openings every offseason and every offseason he says thanks but no thanks. Could the Giants make him say 'yes?' His wife is from New Jersey. Hey, it's something. Shaw, 45, is regarded as the next Jim Harbaugh given his NFL experience. Shaw has compiled a 73-20 record at Stanford and been named Pac-12 Coach of the Year four times. He spent nine years as an NFL assistant (1997-2005), with the Eagles, Raiders and Ravens.

[Tempest]

I can't say it enough: Nobody from the Patriots organization except Bill Belichick. Nick Saban is also a no and I'm happy Jon Gruden is heading to the Raiders if any head coaching job; not the Giants head coaching position.

 

Maybe we'll be surprised with the head coach pick and then again who was surprised they decided on Gettleman after 5 candidates were interviewed in a two week search!

[Nas]

I can't say it enough: Nobody from the Patriots organization except Bill Belichick. Nick Saban is also a no and I'm happy Jon Gruden is heading to the Raiders if any head coaching job; not the Giants head coaching position.

 

Maybe we'll be surprised with the head coach pick and then again who was surprised they decided on Gettleman after 5 candidates were interviewed in a two week search!

 

Frank Reich seems like an intriguing candidate...

[K3VIN]

I'll take the guy from maHoepack if he brings sour shoes

[Sephiroth]

 

Frank Reich seems like an intriguing candidate...

I agree after reading that article.

[Virginia Giant]

 

Frank Reich seems like an intriguing candidate...

Right that as well after reading this.

[JayD]

I guess I'm probably the only Spags supporter. I don't see how any of these people are better qualified for the job. Though I do admit a couple of these guys look like it might be worth taking a shot.

[MakeMeSomeFoodHo]

They should do what the raiders did..just tell McDaniels the job is his if he wants it and then go through the Rooney rule motions if he accepts

[Storm]

I guess I'm probably the only Spags supporter. I don't see how any of these people are better qualified for the job. Though I do admit a couple of these guys look like it might be worth taking a shot.

Spags wasnt qualified for the defensive coordinator job when he was initially hired the second time. Then, he surprised me in 2016. Only to fall back to what the 31st ranked defense in the league? He cant produce a consistent defense.

[JayD]

BS. When your offense goes 3 and out damn near every time they step on the field, That isn't gonna work out good for your defense. Add in the injuries... This season was on Reece and Mac.

 

Now that's not to say I'd be excited about it, but honestly none of these guys have me excited. Between the Philly game, and the Washington game, it was clear they played hard for him, With a bunch of nobodies no less. I don't see why any of these guys would do a better job.

 

I wouldn't be pissed if he didn't get the job, Im just saying I think he could possibly do just as well as anyone on that list.

[gmenroc]

Spags apparently got first interview. Token black guy and McDaniels on Friday.

[NightFire]

I concur, Spagnuolo was trying to shine a turd all season. He is getting an interview so he's definitely in the running.

[Storm]

BS. When your offense goes 3 and out damn near every time they step on the field, That isn't gonna work out good for your defense. Add in the injuries... This season was on Reece and Mac.

 

Now that's not to say I'd be excited about it, but honestly none of these guys have me excited. Between the Philly game, and the Washington game, it was clear they played hard for him, With a bunch of nobodies no less. I don't see why any of these guys would do a better job.

 

I wouldn't be pissed if he didn't get the job, Im just saying I think he could possibly do just as well as anyone on that list.

But even put in position to win or hold a lead, they consistently havent been able to under Spags. And punting on the 39 when you have zero to lose isnt a the kind of decision I want my head coach making.

[boohyah]

I guess I'm probably the only Spags supporter. I don't see how any of these people are better qualified for the job. Though I do admit a couple of these guys look like it might be worth taking a shot.

 

I said that on a previous topic. I think spags is a more serious contender now than the last time. He has the dressing room behind him for sure

[gmenroc]

I concur, Spagnuolo was trying to shine a turd all season. He is getting an interview so he's definitely in the running.

Just because he gets an interview doesn't mean he's necessarily in the running. It's the decent thing to do for the interim coach...to show other teams that he deserves interest. Given the 'clean house' approach that got McAdoo fired mid-season as well as got front office personnel fired, retaining any of the old guard, especially into a position as prominent as head coach...just doesn't make any sense. Again, the interview is a formality and the decent thing to do. Both sides would be foolish to think it's anything more than that.

[Tempest]

Just because he gets an interview doesn't mean he's necessarily in the running. It's the decent thing to do for the interim coach...to show other teams that he deserves interest. Given the 'clean house' approach that got McAdoo fired mid-season as well as got front office personnel fired, retaining any of the old guard, especially into a position as prominent as head coach...just doesn't make any sense. Again, the interview is a formality and the decent thing to do. Both sides would be foolish to think it's anything more than that.

 

I don't believe clean house means fire everyone involved

[NightFire]

I said that on a previous topic. I think spags is a more serious contender now than the last time. He has the dressing room behind him for sure

 

[Tempest]

One guy that is not on that list but the Giants are interviewing is Eric Studesville.

 

http://www.nj.com/giants/index.ssf/2018/01/eric_studesville_giants_coaching_candidate.html

 

The Giants have six official candidates for their head coaching vacancy as of Wednesday morning. Eric Studesville is the wild card of the group at this point.

Studesville, who was fired Monday after a long stint as the Broncos' running backs coach, is highly respected. He has ties to the Giants organization and served as Denver's interim coach for a four-game stint at the end of the 2010 season. But compared to the other candidates, Studesville lacks the experience the team has indicated it seeks in Ben McAdoo's permanent replacement, which makes his candidacy an interesting one. Who is Eric Studesville, and what does he bring to the table when he interviews with the Giants? Here's a closer look:

WHO:

Studesville turns 51 in May. If hired, he would be the Giants' first African-American coach in history. Studesville is a Madison, Wisconsin, native who played college football at Wisconsin-Whitewater. Studesville was a defensive back in school and began his coaching career on the defensive side of the ball before moving to offense. He is married with two children. Studesville's parents were killed in 2013 when their motorcycle was hit head-on by an 18-wheel truck in Texas.

WHEN:

The Giants are scheduled to interview Studesville on Thursday. At this time, Studesville is set to be the team's second head coaching interview (interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo will interview on Wednesday). The Giants will also fulfill their Rooney Rule requirement, which mandates a team interview a minority candidate for any head coach vacancy, when they meet with Studesville.

The Giants are not expected to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and defensive coordinator Matt Patricia until Friday, and the earliest they can interview Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks is Monday due to Carolina's Sunday playoff game at the Saints.

TIES TO GIANTS:

Studesville was the Giants' running backs coach for three seasons, 2001-03, under former coach Jim Fassel. Giants general manager Dave Gettleman was a member of the team's front office at that time, and former general manager Ernie Accorsi, who is a resource co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch will use during the coaching search, was also with the team at that time.

RESUME:

The 2017 season was Studesville's 21st as an NFL assistant. He has mostly been a running backs coach in the league, save a four-game stint as the Broncos' interim coach in 2010 and this past season, when he served as Denver's assistant head coach along with his running backs duties. Studesville started his coaching career at the collegiate level.

Studesville's coaching stops:
• Broncos RBs coach/assistant head coach, 2007
• Broncos RBs coach, 2010-16 (interim head coach in 2010)
• Bills RBs coach/run game coordinator, 2008-09
• Bills RBs coach, 2004-07
• Giants RBs coach, 2001-03
• Bears offensive quality control coach, 1997-00
• Kent State secondary coach, 1995-96
• Wingate secondary coach, 1994
• North Carolina video assistant, 1992-93
• Arizona graduate assistant, 1991

WHY HE'S A FIT:

Studesville is a respected leader who players like and has proven he can produce a strong running game, which is something the Giants lack. He's had five different backs rush for 1,000 yards in a season at least once in his career - something the Giants haven't had in years. Studesville has ties to the Giants organization and has limited experience with the head coaching job. Gettleman wants his head coach to operate as a CEO, and Studesville would likely do so, delegating offensive and defensive responsibilities to his coordinators and assistants while focusing on the culture of the team.

WHY HE'S NOT A FIT:

Mara said he preferred a new head coach who had experience in the job, or at least extensive coordinator experience, after the Giants struck out with the inexperienced Ben McAdoo. Studesville doesn't bring that to the table. He did have the interim coach stint and the year as an assistant head coach, but the fact he has never been a coordinator, either in the NFL or in college, is a concern.

All the Giants' other current confirmed candidates are ahead of Studesville in that sense. He also did not work with one of the position groups that often serves as a launch point for coaches, like quarterback or offensive line. Studesville is a very accomplished coach, but he seems like a significant underdog for this spot. He may be a better fit to hire as a coordinator once the head coach hire is made.

OUR ODDS:

Studesville is definitely a longshot for the job. His interview was not known when the initial set of Giants coaching odds were released by sports books in Las Vegas, so there's nothing to compare our odds to. But we'll put Studesville's chances to get the job at 75-1. He doesn't meet the experience criteria the team seems to prefer, but he has a chance to get in the room. Anything can happen if he blows the team away.

BOTTOM LINE:

Studesville is unlikely to get the job. A strong interview could position him to find a role on the next head coach's staff, though. Studesville worked with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who many consider the top candidate for the job, in Denver. Studesville is also believed to share an agent with another candidate, Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, and could be a name a defensive coach without an extensive coaching tree calls to be his offensive coordinator.