Updated 1/10/16 @ 4:39 p.m. EST
The New York Giants and head coach Tom Coughlin have officially decided to part ways after 12 seasons, meaning the franchise is looking for a new head coach for the first time since 2003. Coughlin won two Super Bowls with the franchise, but he was ousted after three straight losing seasons.
As the Giants move forward, here are the top 10 candidates to replace Coughlin as head coach of the New York Giants:
10. Steve Spagnuolo, Giants defensive coordinator
Spagnuolo will interview for the Giants' job, reports ProFootballTalk. However, it'd be a bit surprising to see him end up with the job. The Giants' defense wasn't great this season and he was a disaster as a head coach in St. Louis.
9. Brian Kelly, Notre Dame head coach
Kelly has been linked with a move to the Giants before. Notre Dame’s academic issues and rough end to last season have led to increased speculation that Kelly is on his way out … but he’s just two seasons removed from a lucrative contract extension, and we’d be surprised if he leaves the Irish this year with their success. A name to watch for sure, but he might not be a primary target.
8. Mike Shanahan, former Broncos/Redskins head coach
Shanahan is interested in returning to coaching, and is only a few years removed from leading the Washington Redskins to the playoffs, but he’ll likely want to have some front office input as well. This seems like a long shot, but it's a bit more likely than Bill Cowher heading to New York.
7. Teryl Austin, Lions defensive coordinator
Austin has had a relatively short NFL coaching career to this point, but he's been extremely successful. He made them one of the best units in the league last year in his first season on the job while overcoming a multitude of injuries to key players and helping Detroit get back to the playoffs. Before that, he served as the defensive backs coach of Seahawks, Cardinals, and Ravens from 2003-2013 - taking a break to be Florida's defensive coordinator in 2010 - but he doesn't have any prior head coaching experience. Still, he's one of the rising stars in the coaching world.
6. Doug Marrone, Jaguars OL/assistant head coach
Marrone had a relatively impressive 15-17 record as head coach of the Bills over the last two seasons given the team's major QB issues, but opted out of his contract after numerous disagreements with the front office. Many teams were impressed with his work in Buffalo and he was expected to get another job elsewhere, but found himself on the job market a little too late to land the kind of job he wanted. He'll be a target for several teams this offseason and the Giants could be interested.
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5. Mike Smith, former Falcons head coach
Smith will interview with the Giants early next week -- a move that has elicited groans from Giants fans who remember his fall from grace over a 10-22 stretch to end his tenure in Atlanta. However, the team posted double-digit wins in four of his first five seasons and he's still a well-respected figure around NFL coaching and front office circles.
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4. Ben McAdoo, Giants offensive coordinator
McAdoo likely won't be a candidate for many head coaching jobs this year, but he will get an interview for the Giants. He's an in-house option and would help the Giants keep some stability for Eli Manning. The Giants are high on McAdoo, despite a lack of head coaching experience. However, they need to be wary -- the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles have him on their radar as well.
3. Sean McDermott, Panthers defensive coordinator
McDermott has done a wonderful job in Carolina and it's only a matter of time before he gets a head coaching job. He's going to be a very popular candidate this season and could have his choice of several jobs.
2. Hue Jackson, Bengals offensive coordinator
Jackson guided the Oakland Raiders to a .500 record in 2011, which was impressive given Oakland's lack of talent. It's only a matter of time before he gets another shot at a full head coaching role. Cincinnati's offense has been consistently productive despite a number of injuries and Andy Dalton's occasional struggles, and it's been among the best in the NFL this season. Jackson will get numerous head coaching interviews this season, and the Giants will likely be one of them. Expect Jackson to end up as a head coach somewhere next season.
1. Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
McDaniels has rebuilt his reputation while leading the Patriots’ offense for the past four seasons after a less-than-successful head coaching debut in Denver. He has a strong desire to be an NFL head coach again. Perhaps he can bring some of the "Brady Effect" for Manning. McDaniels shouldn't have the final say in personnel decisions, especially in the draft. That's what ruined his tenure with Denver. The Giants would be wise to pair him with a GM.
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