The most important hire for Pat Shurmur, once he officially becomes head coach of the Giants, is whom he chooses for his defensive coordinator, given Shurmur’s background on offense. It looks as if Shurmur has zeroed in on his top choice: recently fired Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio.
Del Rio, 54, is a contemporary of Shurmur, 52, and, according to ESPN, Del Rio is a leading candidate for the key coaching position on Shurmur’s staff. Shurmur has a history with Steve Spagnuolo, the incumbent Giants defensive coordinator — they worked together for eight years with the Eagles — and Spagnuolo was thought to be in the running to remain.