Firing Tom Coughlin May Not Be the Answer

With the debacle finish within the 25-24 loss at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars, many fans are calling for the head of Tom Coughlin. However though, is there really any just-as-good or better alternative? The cries are warranted given the disgrace of a team that has been fielded during this season but there are many factors that also put Coughlin in a bad spot.

First — if we look in-house, there are not (m)any alternatives. First-year offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo is way too green in order to receive a title-bump although he certainly may end up one after years down the road. While his offense started out sluggish, it began to click for a portion of the season starting in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. It also began to fade again somewhat beginning Week 6 against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Live Feed

Inside the Loud House

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell’s unit ranked 27th and 31st in points and yards-allowed, respectively. Granted he is dealing with many injuries — headlined with the losses of linebacker Jon Beason and cornerback Prince Amukamara. Defensive ends Mathias Kiwanuka and Robert Ayers, and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are dealing with nagging injuries as well.

Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has underachieved as well due to not having the right support on the Giants’ defensive line among other things. However, in Fewell’s three-plus seasons in New York, his defenses have ranked 27th or worse in terms of yards-allowed during three of four seasons.

Hiring a first-time head coach or a former-head coach, from outside the organization, will likely have the current staff blown up. I say this because it may cost keeping McAdoo if the next head man wants his own guys, per say. It is hard to see the Giants taking a chance on a first-timer just by referencing 2004 when they chose Coughlin over the likes of Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis. That was indeed a great move although it did not seem like it through 2006.

Former Super Bowl-winning head coaches that have been out of the game are Bill Cowher (Pittsburgh Steelers) and Jon Gruden (Tampa Bay Buccaneers). Cowher may be the most likely pick given his highly regarded stature around the league and his philosophy — an emphasis on a power ground-game and hard-nosed defense, aka the loosely thrown-around term “Smashmouth Football”.

Gruden’s tactics place a heavy emphasis on a West Coast offense, which would be good for the sake of keeping McAdoo. Gruden does like to be hands-on though as he often called the plays during his time in Tampa Bay. Cowher’s beliefs however fall directly in line with Giants history so he might be the better option. He is said to have strong ties with Giants ownership, for what it is worth this could turn out to be the best option.

Coughlin may still be the franchise’s best hire in turning this ship around but his tenure will most likely come to an end. He is still regarded as one of the best head coaches in the game and still has that knack to get players to believe him. The bigger story here is the constant stockpile of injuries that seem to pour on after every game.

The lack of depth is even more alarming, to me personally, and that falls under general manager Jerry Reese. He has had his fair share of successful draft classes — with his first one in 2007 by far highlighting them all. Recent ones have been very questionable.

Draft classes from 2010 through 2012 only feature five constant contributors out of the possible 22 total (Rueben Randle, Amukamara, Jacquian Williams, Pierre-Paul, and Linval Joseph — the previously mentioned signing with the Minnesota Vikings during this past offseason).

Before you-know-what hits the fan, let the dust settle and then evaluate. Firing Coughlin will certainly not solve all the problems. It may just create another one and a big one at that. Who would would a logical replacement for him? Leave your comments below.