The Giants’ decision to move on from Tom Coughlin looks worse now that Hue Jackson, a candidate the Giants were said to be in hot pursuit of, has become the head coach of the Browns. Not only did the Giants miss out on someone they wanted, they’re running out of viable minority candidates to interview to comply with the NFL’s Rooney Rule.

Marvin Lewis is being retained by the Bengals despite his postseason record dropping to 0-7, Romeo Crennel, despite a nice season for the Texans’ defense, has a 28-55 career record as a head coach, and Jim Caldwell and Todd Bowles are safe in their positions as head coaches.

Tom Coughlin Would End Kaepernick Era In San Fran

Mike Tomlin is not going anywhere, and Pep Hamilton (Colts O-coordinator), Dennis Thurman (Bills D-coordinator), and Ken Norton Jr. (Raiders D-coordinator) all have zero head coaching experience. Leslie Frazier was let go by the Buccaneers this offseason, but his 21-32-1 record also leaves much to be desired.

That leaves one candidate the Giants can interview, and not take a PR beating for it looking like a token sitdown – ex-Buccaneers coach Lovie Smith, who was shockingly let go over the phone last week.

Giants Suddenly Regret Firing Coughlin

Smith is an 11-year veteran of the head coaching position, lasting nine seasons with the Bears (81-63), but just two in Tampa Bay (8-24). The Bucs improved from two wins to six in Smith’s second season, however, and it’s rumored that he was only fired so that the team could promote offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, whom several teams were interested in for a head coach.

The Giants better schedule Smith quickly before another team snaps him up. They may want to bring him aboard as well, since he’s the most accomplished NFL head coach remaining on the thin market.

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