The Giants met the media on Tuesday with Tom Coughlin discussing his departure after 12 years with the team and co-owner John Mara discussing the team’s plans to replace Coughlin on the sideline.
Mara said that the team would have an “extensive” search for a new coach that would involve coaches with previous head coaching experience in college and the NFL as well as those who haven’t yet reached that level. The only candidates he mentioned by name were offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo when confirming that both men would interview for the job.
Saints coach Sean Payton wasn’t mentioned by name, but he did come up a couple of times implicitly. Mara was asked if the team wanted someone with ties to the organization -- Payton was quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator under Jim Fassel from 1999-2002 -- and said it was a factor, although not a mandate. He also said that he wouldn’t “completely rule out” trading a draft pick for a coach, something that may be on the table in New Orleans this offseason.
Mara spent a lot of time talking about the Giants not having enough talent, which could make dealing a high pick (or picks) for a coach a questionable idea when a pretty successful coach couldn’t win with the players provided by General Manager Jerry Reese but it didn’t sound like the idea is a non-starter for the Giants.