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Spag’s Ticket Punched – But To Where?

By John Fennelly on Jan 03, 2009, 2:34 pm

Its no secret that Giants’ defensive coordinator Steve Spagnoulo‘s time with the club is nearing an end. He is the top candidate for many of the head coaching positions around the league. It appears he will interview for all them before making a decision. It is very likely that he will not be returning as Giants’ DC next season.

The skinny is Spagnuolo ranks 4th among free agent head coaches, meaning Bill Cowher, Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren would all be hired ahead of him.

That is, if Cowher and Holmgren are looking, which we believe they are not. That leaves Shanahan as the best candidate, and it is believed that he will take the Jets’ job.

Spags will most likely end up in Denver. We don’t think he’s crazy enough to go to Detroit, St. Louis or Oakland should those latter positions open up. The Broncos are a good fit for Steve. They have a franchise QB in Jay Cutler and a solid organization with a dedicated owner in Pat Bowlen. The piece of the puzzle that needs fixing is the defense, and that is where Spags comes in.

5 Comments

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  1. BigJohn
    Jan 03, 2009, 3:48 pm at 3:48 pm #

    You say Shanahan is going to take the Jets job-”That leaves Shanahan as the best candidate, and it is believed that he will take the Jets’ job.” but didn’t Shaahan say yesterday he was not interested in coaching the Jets and today Profootballtalk.com is reporting that he is willing to take 2009 off unless he finds the “perfect” coaching job this year. And I thought that Spags was more likely to go to the Jets now that they have made him their number one choice after being turned down by Cowher and Shanahan. I could be wrong though….

  2. Koko
    Jan 03, 2009, 3:59 pm at 3:59 pm #

    Living in Denver, I’m not sure Spags is the Bronco’s coach. They’ll make a huge push for Bob Stoops….Plus without Shanahan they need a new GM (or equivalent) and might start there.

    But regardless wouldn’t it make sense maybe for the Giants to make Spags the head coach in waiting for the Giants?

  3. G_Lunt
    Jan 03, 2009, 7:15 pm at 7:15 pm #

    A team only has a head coach in waiting when you have a dumbass like Wade Phillips coaching your team. Hopefully Tom Coughlin will be our coach for years to come (or at least the 4 years left on his contract) and help us win a few more Super Bowls

    • mouserdz
      Jan 03, 2009, 8:03 pm at 8:03 pm #

      that’s 3 years after the end of this season, right?

    • Koko
      Jan 04, 2009, 3:28 am at 3:28 am #

      Well Seattle did it with Mike Holgrem and Jim Mora Jr. Also the Colts with Dungy and Jim Caldwell – supposedly.

      The difference between Couglin and most coaches is that he is old. He’s pushing 62….If he wins his second this year nothing like going out on top. Or even in a year or two.

      Promote Spags to associate/assistant head coach with a little more money and tell him he’s first in line for the head coaching job if/when it becomes available. He’s still allowed to interview with other teams for a job, but it gives him a reason to stay in NY.

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