Mara is hoping to Gett a coach with some valuable experience
John Mara said Friday the Giants “ideally” want to hire a head coach “with previous head coaching experience” to team with new GM Dave Gettleman, though “that doesn’t have to be the case.” Mara also said the Giants “don’t have any preconceived notions about whether it has to be an of- fensive or defensive coach.”
“I think it has to be somebody who either has had head coaching experience or at least has been a coordinator for a significant period of time,” Mara said Friday morning after Gettleman’s introductory press conference. “If you don’t have that, the odds are really stacked against you. It’s not impossible for you to succeed without that, but I think the more experience that that individual has, as either a head coach or as a coordinator on either side of the ball, is very important.”
Leading candidates with head coaching experience include New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, a former head coach with the Denver Broncos (200910), Houston Texans head coach
Bill O’Brien, if he’s fired at season’s end, and Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, a former head coach with the Cleveland Browns (2011-12).
Matt Patricia is in his sixth year as New England’s defensive coordinator and Philadelphia’s Frank Reich is in his fourth year as an NFL offensive coordinator including two years with the Chargers (2014-15). But Carolina’s Steve Wilks, while an assistant head coach for three years between both the Chargers (2011) and Carolina (2015-16), only is in his first season as a defensive coordinator.
Mara would not reveal which candidates Gettleman pitched during his Dec. 20 interview, but Gettleman on Friday stressed how much he values “culture” and said he wants a coach who has intelligence, leadership and vision.
“I really believe that the head coaching job is a CEO position,” Gettleman said. “It really is. You look at the great head coaches and I’ll tell you right now, there ain’t a dumb one in the group. They’re all leaders. They all know how to lead men. And that’s what you need. You need intelligence, you need leadership, and because on the assumption that you hired an intelligent guy, you’re gonna have a guy with vision. So those are the critical components you’re looking for.”
Mara said the Giants will be sending out consent forms on Monday requesting interviews of candidates currently working for teams. McDaniels and Patricia, with the Patriots on a bye week, would be able to interview if New England granted the Giants permission.
Mara also admitted, as the Daily News’ Gary Myers reported Thursday, that the timing of Gettleman’s hiring was influenced by how many coaching vacancies are expected around the league on Black Monday.
“Initially that had been our thought (to continue GM interviews into the New Year), but after going through all these interviews and talking it through with Ernie (Accorsi) and Steve (Spagnuolo), we just had a conviction that this was the right guy for us,” Mara said. “And listen, I’m also conscious of the fact that come Monday or Tuesday there are gonna be a number of head coaches that get fired and there are gonna be a lot of teams out there competing for the quality candidates that are out there. So being ready to do that starting Monday was certainly something M we wanted to do.” ara said “conceivably” the Giants could interview a head coach candidate on Monday but interviews likely wouldn’t begin until Tuesday at the earliest since the Giants won’t even be requesting permission until Monday.
Mara said Spagnuolo, the interim coach, “will have a shot” and said while he will continue to speak with Accorsi, the ex-Giants GM won’t be an official consultant on the coaching search as he was on the GM process.
“I think Dave outlined the qualities very well,” Mara said of what he’s seeking in a coach. “You’re looking for somebody who has intelligence but leadership qualities, too, somebody who’s going to be able to command the room when he stands up there in front of that team. And we don’t have any preconceived notions about whether it has to be an offensive or defensive coach. Ideally it’d be somebody with previous head coaching experience, but that doesn’t have to be the case either.”