The Giants are planning an “extensive” coaching search.
Better get to work soon.
One logical and desirable candidate, Ron Rivera, is likely already off the board as reports suggest he will be hired Monday by the rival Redskins.
The Panthers are conducting interviews and the Browns are submitting official interview requests.
The Giants fired Pat Shurmur around 9 a.m. Monday, rather than during a nine-game losing streak spanning all of October and November. Here are seven names that should be on the short list of replacements:
Matt Rhule: Before he built the Baylor and Temple programs from the bottom of college football into Top 25 programs, he was the Giants assistant offensive line coach in 2012 and is said to have great respect for the established Giants Way. He hoped to get an interview in 2018, one year before he was a finalist for the Jets vacancy.
Josh McDaniels: At this point, McDaniels is a mythical figure, despite his failed first tenure as Broncos head coach. The longtime Patriots offensive coordinator’s name seemingly comes up in every coaching search every year. He interviewed with the Giants in 2018, then backed out of an agreement with the Colts at the 11th hour. He will want a say in personnel.
Mike McCarthy: The former Packers head coach — a Super Bowl winner — is itching to get back into the NFL. He coached Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers, which would have to excite rookie quarterback Daniel Jones. Reports say McCarthy, who already has interviewed with the Panthers, has a coaching staff ready to get to work.
Jason Garrett: Garrett’s contract as Cowboys head coach reportedly expires next month, but he could be fired sooner after underachieving with one of the league’s most talented teams during his 10-year run. He is a former Giants backup quarterback who maintained the respect of ownership from afar and would be among the most willing to work under general manager Dave Gettleman.
Dan Campbell: The Giants are not going to be able to pluck former assistant coach Sean Payton from the Saints. But how about his right-hand man? Campbell, a former Giants tight end, was the Dolphins interim head coach in 2015, and is the assistant head coach for the Saints.
Kris Richard: He climbed the ladder from assistant defensive backs coach to defensive coordinator with the Seahawks (2010-17), helping develop the “Legion of Boom” (Kam Chancellor, Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas). The Giants have first- and second-year players all over the secondary. He is one of the hot names every year because of his resume, not just because he fulfills the Rooney Role for interviewing minorities. But there are cons: the Cowboys likely will be looking for a Jason Garrett replacement and are willing to let Richard walk out the door to a NFC East rival? What do they know? No head coaching experience and not offensive-minded.
David Shaw: Can the Giants convince the longtime Stanford coach to come out for an interview? There is no shortage of opinions around the league that he will make a very good NFL coach if he ever makes the jump.
Eric Bieniemy: Bieniemy is in his second season as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, and the Giants have reportedly requested to interview the 50-year-old. Patrick Mahomes won NFL MVP during Bieniemy’s first season as coordinator.
For more on the Giants’ coaching search, listen to the latest episode of the “Blue Rush” podcast: