The first move in the rebuilding of the New York Giants—firing head coach Ben McAdoo—could come shortly after Sunday’s game in Oakland.
Sunday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that sources have told him and Chris Mortensen that New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo could be fired within 24 hours after the team’s Week 13 game against the Oakland Raiders.
Per the report, Giants owner John Mara viewed McAdoo’s bungling of the Eli Manning situation another example of his inability to communicate and the final straw in the owner’s decision-making process to move on.
“In addition to communication issues, the Giants’ offense has lacked creativity, especially when the team has been trying to cover for weaknesses along the offensive line and injuries at wide receiver.
The Giants also are concerned that rather than having relationships built up, they have been torn down this season. Two cornerbacks, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Janoris Jenkins, were suspended, and another, Eli Apple, was questioned on a defense that also has lacked oversight.”
That’s some damning commentary not only on McAdoo but on his top two assistants, offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, the latter of whom is in his second stint with the team.
Still, were the Giants to fire McAdoo during the season, it stands to reason that either Sullivan or Spagnuolo would take over as the interim head coach for the rest of 2017. Neither one would likely be considered for a position on the team’s next coaching staff, regardless of who the new permanent head coach ultimately is.
McAdoo, who has been coaching in the NFL since 2004, has been with the Giants since 2014. He served as offensive coordinator under legendary head coach Tom Coughlin for two years before being promoted to the top spot in 2016.
In two years at the helm, McAdoo has compiled a 13-14 record. His .481 winning percentage is fifth-worst in franchise history, ahead of only Bill Arnsparger (.200), John McVay (.378), Ray Perkins (.404) and Ray Handley (.438).
As for embattled general manager Jerry Reese, sources tell Schefter that his standing is “highly tenuous,” though there is no timeline for his dismissal.