McDaniels and Patricia interview for Giant job
The Giants brass traveled to Foxboro, Mass., on Friday and interviewed Patriots offensive and defensive coordinators Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia for head coach.
Team president John Mara, GM Dave Gettleman and assistant GM Kevin Abrams met with Patricia first, followed by McDaniels.
The Daily News has reported the two Bill Belichick assistants, particularly McDaniels, are the preferred candidates for the Giants but prying either one away from New England will not be easy.
McDaniels, 41, has interviewed for various head coaching jobs the past three years but has decided to remain with the Patriots as offensive coordinator, a position he has held since 2012 and previously from 2006-08.
The Boston Herald reported on Thursday that McDaniels would not leave unless he finds the perfect situation, but the Patriots do not necessarily appear like they have a perfect situation, either.
McDaniels, who was head coach of the Broncos at age 32 from 200910, has been thought of as the heir apparent to Belichick in New England and an ESPN report on Friday morning suggested that era could be coming to an end sooner than we think with a power struggle between Belichick, Tom Brady and owner Robert Kraft.
A Belichick departure could also mean the Giants ditch the chase for his supposed heir apparent and go straight for the real thing, though the three issued a joint statement that asserted there is no rift.
McDaniels is also interviewing with the Colts, who have Andrew Luck — who missed all of 2017 with an injury — and the Bears, who have a promising young quarterback in Mitchell Trubisky.
Patricia, the Patriots defensive coordinator since 2012, has no head coaching experience but has generated interest from the Giants and others and has been part of the Patriots dynasty coaching staff since 2004. He has also interviewed with the Detroit Lions.
The 43-year-old is a unique candidate who holds a degree in aeronautical engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and would be a stark change from previous Giants coaches Ben McAdoo and Tom Coughlin with a more defensive background in addition to his bushy black beard and backwards hat.
Despite the Patriots ranking 29th in yards allowed, they still managed to allow the fifth-fewest points in the league and have ranked in the top 10 in fewest points allowed throughout his tenure as defensive coordinator.
The Giants have already interviewed interim head coach Steve Spagnuolo and still plan to interview former Broncos running backs coach Eric Studesville, Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz and Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.
NO ALL-PRO
After having six players named to The Associated Press All-Pro teams last season, the Giants had zero make the cut this year following a disappointing 3-13 season.
Landon Collins earned a Pro Bowl selection this season — the only Giant to do so.