The Pat Shurmur era in New York is finished after only two seasons. The Giants fired their head coach Monday following a second straight non-playoff season and a 9-23 record.
The Giants are now looking for the 21st coach in franchise history to pair with general manager Dave Gettleman. The team has a lot of offensive promise with back-to-back first round picks Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones, but the defense needs a lot of work to go from an also-ran back to contending in the ultra-competitive NFC East.
With that in mind, here’s looking at the seven best coaching candidates to take a proud franchise into the next decade.
Eric Bieniemy
Offensive coordinator, Chiefs
Bieniemy, 50, will be getting a lot of calls as the latest prized pupil in this capacity under Andy Reid in Kansas City, following Eagles Super Bowl winner Doug Pederson and Bears head man Matt Nagy. He has a done a terrific job with both Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs’ backfield by committee, and he would do well with Jones and Barkley.
Bieniemy is ready for the next step of running a complete operation.
Kevin Stefanski
Offensive coordinator, Vikings
Stefanski, 37, has done wonders with Dalvin Cook and the Vikings’ running game and also gotten the best play out of Kirk Cousins. That combination should be attractive for the Giants with Jones and Barkley.
The Penn graduate is intelligent and has the mentality to thrive in New York.
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Robert Saleh
Defensive coordinator, 49ers
Saleh, 40, likely will find a head-coaching job somewhere in 2020 with his star burning brightest. He is a high-energy, fiery motivator who cut his teeth under Pete Carroll before enjoying his big breakout season calling plays for a super-talented defense under Kyle Shanahan.
He would be an instant infectious sideline standout in New York.
Matt Eberflus
Defensive coordinator, Colts
Eberflus, 49, has excelled in getting the most out of Indianapolis’ mixed-personnel defense. He is well organized and a strong motivator for veteran players and youngsters alike, having strengthened his resume under Frank Reich the past two seasons.
The Ohioan has the right personality to take over the Giants and have his teams compete hard in the division, where he was once in solid employ of the Cowboys.
Matt Rhule
Head coach, Baylor
Rhule, 44, before becoming the head coach at Temple in 2013, was the Giants’ assistant offensive line coach for a season in 2012. He is a native New Yorker and a pedigreed former Penn State linebacker.
He has the hard-nosed East Coast defensive profile to handle the pressure of coaching in New York, plus the offensive chops to push Jones and Barkley forward.
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Jim Harbaugh
Head coach, Michigan
Harbaugh, 56, would leave the Wolverines for only a marquee team in the NFL that can be ready to win sooner rather than later. The Giants, with Jones and Barkley, qualify as that kind of offensive team with some defensive turnaround potential.
The Giants shouldn’t mind wanting to build an NFC power in the image of Harbaugh’s 2012 49ers.
Mike LaFleur
Passing game coordinator, 49ers
LaFleur, 32, is the younger brother of highly successful Packers rookie coach Matt LaFleur. He is another bright offensive colleague of Kyle Shanahan, and his work with Jimmy Garoppolo to make San Francisco explosive through the air in 2019 can’t be ignored, given he can have the same influence on the similarly athletic, smart and strong-armed Jones.
He would also install a good zone-blocking scheme to boost Barkley.