How the Giants' coaching search could hinge on Sunday's final games

4 days ago 2

EAST RUTHERFORD - Kevin Stefanski was ready to join the New York Giants coaching staff.

This was eight years ago and then-Giants head coach Pat Shurmur wanted to bring Stefanski with him from Minnesota to Big Blue as his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, but the Vikings blocked the interview and ultimately the anticipated move.

Sources close to Stefanski indicated to NorthJersey.com and The Record back then that he was intrigued by the idea of coming to New Jersey, where his father Ed - a longtime NBA executive - served as the general manager of the Nets from 1999-2007.

"Kevin's a great football mind, excellent young coach," Shurmur told NorthJersey.com and The Record in 2019. "Would've loved to have him as an asset here."

Perhaps a second chance at a first act with the Giants will be in play for Stefanski in the near future.

A lot of attention will be paid to the Sunday night game that will decide the AFC North between John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens and Mike Tomlin's Pittsburgh Steelers, with the losing head coach potentially emerging as the most sought-after target on the market, but don't overlook the game between Stefanski's Cleveland Browns against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.

Since his days as a valued assistant in Minnesota, Stefanski went on to become a two-time NFL Coach of the Year as head coach of the Browns. There has been speculation in league circles that the Browns could decide to go in another direction after the season, and if that were to happen, Stefanski would likely shoot to the top of candidate lists - of which the Giants would be one.

There's also that buzz surrounding the Pittsburgh-Baltimore game and two of the NFL's most respected and longest tenured coaches in Tomlin and Harbaugh. It's no guarantee either will become available, but if one did, the Giants would certainly be expected to make a call. How could a team not?

The Giants (3-13) have been in the market for a new coach since Brian Daboll was fired Nov. 10 and have won just once since entering Sunday's season finale against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium.

General manager Joe Schoen was tabbed to run point on the franchise's fifth head coaching search since Tom Coughlin's exit in 2015, and the interview process will kick off this week. Here's a look at the wide range of candidates expected to draw interest from the Giants in what should be a methodical, yet concentrated, effort given the time the organization has had to plan its next moves:

Former NFL coach Mike McCarthy

The 62-year-old Super Bowl winner took a season off after parting ways with the Cowboys. His career resume is impressive: 174-112-2 in 18 years, including 12 playoff appearances.

Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph

The 53-year-old crossed paths with Schoen in their tenures with the Miami Dolphins - Joseph was the defensive coordinator on Adam Gase's staff in 2016 and Schoen was the director of player personnel for a playoff team. Joseph could pair with a strong offensive coordinator, either veteran or a young mind.

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley

The Bergen County native has been prominently mentioned as one of those to watch as the Giants' coaching search unfolded. The franchise has strong ties to Boston College, where the 46-year-old Hafley served as head coach from 2020-23, and his coaching resume includes stops in college (WPI, Albany, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Ohio State and Boston College) and the NFL (Buccaneers, 49ers, Browns and Packers) where he worked with some of the brightest and best minds in the game.

Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula

The way the Rams are playing defensively, the 39-year-old Shula has earned his mentions in numerous candidate lists. The profile of Sean McVay's right-hand man continues to gain prominence in Los Angeles and beyond.

Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo

The Staten Island native has plenty of familiarity with the Giants. He was the secondary coach on Pat Shurmur's staff in 2018, and his departure took all the steam out of that defense a year later. Anarumo, 58, did a very good job in Cincinnati as the Bengals' DC, a tenure that looks even better with how that defensive personnel is faring in the wake of his dismissal after last season.

Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak

The 38-year-old Kubiak is an impressive offensive-minded coach who has done well with Sam Darnold in Seattle and might be the best candidate on that side of the ball on the market.

Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady

An offensive mind respected around the league, the 36-year-old Brady took his lumps as a young coach after emerging as a white-hot name from his time at LSU. Found his footing now in Buffalo and could be ready for the next step.

Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter

The 42-year-old Minter has thrived as Jim Harbaugh's right hand man and he runs a creative and innovative defense that has garnered plenty of praise in his leap from the national title at Michigan to the Chargers last season. He's considered one of the best defensive minds - young or old - in football.

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy

The 47-year-old Nagy has re-charged his chances for a second act as head coach with a return to Andy Reid's staff, winning two Super Bowls.

Former NFL coach Antonio Pierce

The 47-year-old Pierce is a Super Bowl champion and former captain of the Giants. His time as head coach of the Raiders in Vegas did not end well, but he has fans in the building.

Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke

The 49-year-old longtime NFL assistant who crossed paths with Schoen in Miami has a chance to really make an impact in the playoffs with the talented Houston defense.

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury

Kingsbury, 46, flamed out in Arizona, but he’s done well with Jayden Daniels in Washington and could be a fit for Jaxson Dart.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo

A favorite of the entire organization, the 66-year-old Spags did not get the full-time job when he served as the interim head coach after Ben McAdoo’s firing. If he still wants to be a head coach, this might be the place willing to give him that shot.

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh

The former Jets head coach has gone back to his roots as the 46-year-old 49ers DC and reignited the flame of his head coaching candidacy.

Denver Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb

Webb will turn 31 later this month and he's on the fast track to be a head coach in this league. The former Giants quarterback has learned at the hip of Sean Payton in Denver as his pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach. It would be a surprise if he didn't get an interview and could emerge as a strong OC candidate with the right head coach here. Could he impress enough for the Giants to take a chance on his candidacy at such a young age? They're certainly familiar enough with him to make it possible.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile

Campanile, 43, is thriving as DC in Jacksonville with head coach Liam Coen, whose gamble on the coach and not necessarily the resume stacked with experience has paid off. He spent last season with the Green Bay Packers as the linebackers coach and running game coordinator for another New Jersey native Jeff Hafley's defense. He interviewed for the Giants' defensive coordinator opening prior to last season and impressed.

Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero

The 44-year-old has done a great job with a young and talented defense in Carolina and has been one of the hottest names on the market in previous seasons.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Giants coaching search scenarios involving top NFL coaches

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