The New York Giants are back on the coaching carousel. That much we know, but what we don’t know is who the Giants’ next coach will be, nor what their precise philosophy will be.
There’s a sense that the Giants would prefer that their next head coach have experience in the position and come with a strong resume. That, of course, makes sense given that the three of the Giants’ last four head coaches (Ben McAdoo, Joe Judge, and Brian Daboll) were first time head coaches, and only Pat Shurmur had any experience in the position.
There are several potential candidates like Steve Spagnuolo or Robert Saleh who have previously failed as head coaches and returned to being coordinators.
But why not shoot for the moon? The Giants’ job is widely expected to be a highly coveted one. After all, the Giants have an exciting young quarterback with “Franchise” potential in Jaxson Dart, a talented (but underperforming) young defensive roster, a high draft pick, and a healthy salary cap.
The scene might be set for a one-year turnaround if the Giants can get the right candidate in place, and that fact won’t be lost on anyone.
So with that in mind, why shouldn’t we consider candidates that are currently employed but might find themselves parting ways with their current teams?
And I don’t want to limit us to the “Mike McDaniels” of the world (though he’d make a very interesting offensive coordinator candidate), but rather well-regarded head coaches who could step in and get the locker room pulling in the right direction.
A) Kevin O’Connell — The Vikings’ head coach is very well regarded as a quarterbacks coach. J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer have flopped this year for the Vikings, but his results with Kirk Cousins and and Sam Darnold are nothing short of fantastic. The Vikings’ offense has been one of the best in the NFL when he O’Connell has a good quarterback, and their defense did an impressive job of turning around after 2022 when O’Connell hired Brian Flores.
However, J.J. McCarthy has been such a disappointment that O’Connell could find himself out of a job if the Vikings continue to flounder.
B) Kevin Stefanski — The Cleveland Browns’ head coach is widely considered among the league’s best offensive minds. And considering the Browns have had a revolving door at the quarterback position yet Stefanski has twice won Coach Of The Year, it’s notable. Stefanski has been saddled with a parade of quarterbacks he did not want over the last several years thanks to a meddlesome ownership, but their 6-23 record over the last two season has him on the hot seat. He’ll be among the most sought-after coaching candidates if he hits the open market on Black Monday.
C) Mike Tomlin — This was an unthinkable option when the Giants fired Brian Daboll. However all of the Steelers’ moves to prop open a championship window that should have closed years ago have backfired to the sound of “Fire Tomlin” echoing across Heinz Field. Tomlin has never had a losing season and always seems to have his team playing up to the limits of its potential… Even when that ceiling is limited by age or talent. Tomlin is only 53 years old, yet has been one of the league’s most respected coaches for all of his 19 years on the job in Pittsburgh.
D) John Harbaugh — The Ravens’ head coach seems like the least likely to be on the move now that Baltimore is back to .500. But despite having a 2-time MVP, 3-time All Pro, and 4-time Pro Bowl quarterback in Lamar Jackson, as well as one of the NFL’s most unique offenses and formidable defenses, Harbaugh has never been able to get over the hump. The Ravens have been one of the NFL’s models of excellence, and the way in which Harbaugh pivoted from Joe Flacco to Lamar Jackson is one the most impressive coaching feats in recent memory. But how long can “almost” be good enough in Baltimore? Like Tomlin, Harbaugh could find himself on the outs if the Ravens miss the playoffs.
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