http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/2009/01/12/2009-01-12_if_named_tom_coughlins_successor_steve_s.html There you go, from the Daily News, If named Tom Coughlin's successor, Steve Spagnuolo may stay with Giants BY RALPH VACCHIANO DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Monday, January 12th 2009, 9:55 PM Weissman for News Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could be staring at a future with the Giants after all. Related News Photo Gallery Big Blue Bummer: Eagles 23, Giants 11 Video Giants clean out their lockers Articles Earth, Wind & Fire resigned to Giant separation Ziegel: Tyree keeps using his head Manning looks to next season Giants differ on whether Burress was the difference Myers: Take '09 shot without Plax If either the Jets or the Detroit Lions offers Steve Spagnuolo its head coaching job, there may be nothing the Giants can do to prevent their defensive coordinator from leaving. Unless they're willing to name him their head coach, too. Giants GM Jerry Reese said Monday the team would consider making Spagnuolo a "head coach-in-waiting" if it would keep him from leaving for another team. It would be an unprecedented move by the Giants, but since Tom Coughlin's current contract expires in 2011 when he will be 65, they could promise Spagnuolo the job would be his then. "We consider everything here," Reese said. "We try to consider everything." The Giants already made a big move to keep Spagnuolo last February, when they gave him a three-year, $6 million contract after he was nearly hired as head coach of the Washington Redskins. But at the time, according to a team source, they were not willing to name him Coughlin's successor, especially since Coughlin was about to get a new four-year, $21 million deal. It's still not likely the Giants would do it. For one thing, they don't know if Coughlin will retire at the end of his current contract. For another, predicting the future can be dicey. What happens if the Giants' defense falls apart in the next three years, or another, more attractive candidate is available the next time the Giants need a coach? But the fact they'd even consider it shows how much the Giants want to keep the 49-year-old Spagnuolo, who again is in high demand. He's interviewed with the Jets, Lions, Broncos and Browns. The Rams are expected to interview him on Thursday. And while it's possible that the Giants' 1-4 fade down the stretch will hurt his head coaching prospects, he's earned league-wide respect for keeping the Giants' defense in the top five this season despite the loss of Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora. The Giants have appeared to be bracing for his inevitable departure for weeks. "He is one of those coaches that has certain attributes about him that you can't replace," said defensive end Justin Tuck. "Obviously he's a great football mind, but more than that he's a great person and he's a guy that everybody loves playing for." That's why the Giants sweated out his 20-hour stay at the estate of Redskins owner Dan Snyder last winter, then made Spagnuolo the richest assistant coach in team history. They could offer him a raise again, but naming him as Coughlin's successor would be much more enticing. It's what the Colts did for associate head coach Jim Caldwell, who was handed the reins Monday as promised when Tony Dungy retired. The Seattle Seahawks had a coach-in-waiting in place, too, promising control to Jim Mora Jr. when Mike Holmgren left at the end of the year. As loyal as Spagnuolo has said he's been to the Giants, that might be the only way to convince him to abandon his ambitions and stay if he's offered control of another team. "Most coaches want to be head coaches," Reese said. "So if he gets an opportunity to be a head coach, we'll wish him nothing but the best. But selfishly we'd love for him to be here with the Giants. He's done a terrific job for us." --------------- The article makes it seem unlikely but not an impossible. If that is to be the case, Spags could stay, and making Rex Ryan the only real choice for next Head coaching gig.
Woody/Tanny better hurry up and make a decision......if we wait for Rex Ryan...and he fucks us over....pandemonium will ensue.
To be honest, I'd like the FO to take their time picking the next HC. I don't want them picking Spags as a knee-jerk reaction from the Giants making him Coughlin's successor. I say let the Giants do what they gotta do. If they follow thru, it will make Ryan the only real candidate out there. And if he goes to the SB and wins, I doubt this FO will name Schotty Jr. it's HC just because they were growing impatient. That will be an epic fail on their part.
I heard these comments last night on SNY-TV. They said these types of arrangements generally dont workout (hmmm, I think we have 1rst hand knowledge of that) but anything is possible. I think we will sit tight for Ryan. Spags and BS may be just some leaked info to keep it up in the air. I dont believe for one moment that if both sides hit it off well that they dont have a "handshake/gentlemens agreement" in place. Spags hasn't actually interviewed with Woody there, tho I read that a 2nd int. was to be setup with Woody, but Spags agent said they have not been contacted. Lastly with Spags able to take the job here and there is nothing happening, I think it may be clear which direction we are going
For what it's worth, Mike Francesa mentioned the other day that it wouldn't be wise to try and wait out Coughlin. He's 62 and will coach at least another 4-5 years.
And if Coughlin wins a Super Bowl in the last year of his contract and doesn't want to retire, what are the Giants gonna do? Fire him because they promised Spagnuolo the job? Spagnuolo would have to be a moron to let this effect any decision about taking a HC job elsewhere.
Actually its more competition for Rex if Spags is out of the way. Takes one more capable coaching candidate off other teams radar. In terms of us, yes that all but garuntees Rex would be our next guy, but who knows...
The last time Woody rushed a HC signing was when we passed over John Fox AND Marvin Lewis for Herman Edwards. Not to say that as things turned out, not hiring Lewis was a bad thing but John Fox, who was a Giants DC I think at the time, perhaps could have changed our fortunes. As it is, let TanWoody take their time on this. Waay to easy for them to fck this up given their history of "success".
it doesnt really say that coughlin will want that, and that could get dangerous. Imagine how you would feel if your boss nominated your sucessor long before you were even going to think about leaving, seems like a last ditch effort to keep him, i could see him going to KC
