The New York Giants are headed towards their second straight losing season and third straight season without making the playoffs, putting head coach Tom Coughlin firmly on the hot seat. If he gets fired, who are the top candidates to take his place?
10) Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M Head Coach
The Aggies have struggled this season with a young team, but Sumlin is widely expected to be the next college coach to make the jump to the NFL. Teams around the league think A&M's struggles have more to do with the loaded SEC West and not with Sumlin. He runs an offense similar to the one Chip Kelly runs with the Philadelphia Eageles, which shows he might have success in the pros. If the Giants feel like taking a chance, Sumlin is their guy.
9) Greg Roman, San Francisco 49ers Offensive Coordinator
Roman was the offensive coordinator at Stanford before coming to San Francisco, and he’s been nothing but successful in the NFL. 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that Roman “reminds him of Chip Kelly”. If he can live up to half of what Kelly has done with the Eagles, he’ll turn the Giants around in no time.
8 ) Sean McDermott, Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator
McDermott was one of the hot assistant coaches that several teams interviewed about head coaching vacancies last year, but his star has dimmed a little with Carolina's struggles this season. The Panthers still have one of the best defenses in the league under McDermott's direction, and he's a good choice if New York misses on some of their top targets
7) Mike Shanahan, former NFL Head Coach
A report came out earlier this month that Shanahan wants to coach at either Michigan or Florida, but it would be hard for him to turn down a chance to lead an NFL team. He’s only two years removed from leading the Washington Redskins to the playoffs, but he’ll want to have some front office role as well. If the Giants are willing to give him that, Shanahan is a proven commodity that would command attention from everyone in the locker room.
6) Steve Spagnuolo, Baltimore Ravens Assistant Head Coach/Secondary Coach
Spagnuolo was the defensive coordinator for the Giants when they won the Super Bowl in 2007, but left in 2009 to become the head coach of the St. Louis Rams. He didn't have much success there (no one really does), so he went back to being a defensive coordinator with the Saints before landing with the Ravens. He's someone who has ties to the organization and has head coaching experience, but he wouldn't be a "splash" hire.
5) Bill Cowher, former NFL Head Coach
Cowher hasn’t coached in the league since 2006, but has stayed in the game as an analyst for CBS. He’s won a Super Bowl and had sustained success in a cold-weather city (Pittsburgh). Cowher has said he would come back to coaching if the right situation presented itself, and the Giants have playoff talent.
4) Darrell Bevell, Seattle Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
Bevell worked with Brett Favre and Adrian Peterson in Minnesota before moving to Seattle in 2011, where he’s helped develop Russell Wilson and built a dominant running game. He would bring a Super Bowl pedigree to a talented team that seems to have forgotten how to win.
3) Adam Gase, Denver Broncos Offensive Coordinator
Gase is only in his second season as the offensive coordinator in Denver, but he’s already guided the best offense in league history. He’s proven he can handle star players and their egos. Gase will be the most sought-after candidate, and New York will be a tough job for him to turn down.
2) Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers Head Coach
Speaking of Harbaugh, all he’s done is make the NFC Championship Game in each of his first three seasons in the league. Even with the 49ers’ 5-4 record this season, he’s widely considered to be one of the top-5 coaches in the league today.
Rumors have been swirling that he won’t return to San Francisco next year and he’s worn thin on the players and front office, which would put him at the top of every list in the football world. He might be a little too hard-core for the Giants locker room, but he's the best coach available.
1) Pep Hamilton, Indianapolis Colts Offensive Coordinator
Hamilton followed Andrew Luck from Stanford to Indianapolis, and he’s led outstanding offenses at each stop. He’s going to be a hot candidate for every opening across the league, and New York is one of the best jobs in the league. The only downside for New York will be having a third offense in three years, but Hamilton's proven to be a good enough coach to make that worth it.
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