Giants Defensive Coordinator Rumors

Update:

Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun reports that Ravens secondary coach Steve Spagnuolo and former Raiders HC Dennis Allen are the two finalists for the Giants defensive coordinator position.

This means Redskins DBs coach Raheem Morris and Bills DL coach Pepper Johnson are no long in the running for the job, which should come as much of a surprise.

We’ll have more regarding who will get the job as the news is available.

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Paul Schwartz reports that the Giants have informed Bills DL coach Pepper Johnson he won’t be hired as their next defensive coordinator.

According to Albert Breer of NFL Media, candidates for the Giants defensive coordinator position are expecting the team to make a decision by the end of the week as to who they’ll hire.

The Giants are considering: Ravens DBs coach Steve Spagnuolo, former Raiders HC Dennis Allen, and Redskins DBs coach Raheem Morris.

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Ian Rapoport reports that the Giants are interviewing former Raiders HC Dennis Allen regarding their defensive coordinator job on Tuesday.

Ravens HC John Harbaugh confirmed that DBs coach Steve Spagnuolo will interview for the position on Wednesday.

New York has already interviewed Redskins DBs coach Raheem Morris and Bills DL coach Pepper Johnson.

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Ralph Vacchiano of the New York Daily News reports that the Giants have interest in speaking to former Raiders HC Dennis Allen regarding their defensive coordinator job.

• Vacchiano adds that it’s not immediately known whether the Giants have reached out to Allen or if they have scheduled an interview.

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Dianna Marie Russini reports that the Giants are not interested in hiring Redskins DBs coach Raheem Morris, despite meeting with him on Friday.

• According to Russini, the Redskins will be his next interview.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Giants are expected to interview Ravens DBs coach Steve Spagnuolo at some point this week.

• Schefter adds that the Giants have already spoken to DB coach David Merritt regarding their  defensive coordinator vacancy.

This comes just a few hours after Jason La Canfora mentioned that he expects the Giants to make a “concerted push” to hire Spagnuolo as their next defensive coordinator now that Baltimore’s season over.

This should come as no surprise given that Spagnuolo’s name immediately came up as the guy to watch for the job as soon as the news broke that Perry Fewell was being replaced.

Spagnuolo was once one of the most sought after coaching candidates in the league before he left New York to take the Rams’ job back in 2009. He last just two years in St. Louis before he was fired and later hired by New Orleans.

Other reported candidates for the job include Bills DL coach Pepper Johnson and Redskins DBs coach Raheem Morris.

We’ll have more updates regarding the Giants’ defensive coordinator position as the news is available.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Giants are interviewing Bills defensive line coach Pepper Johnson on Monday for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

With Rex Ryan now the head coach of the Bills, it appears likely that Johnson will be coaching elsewhere next season.

The Giants have yet to schedule an interview with Ravens DBs coach Steve Spagnuolo for their defensive coordinator vacancy, but Aaron Wilson reports that this is likely to change in the near future.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Giants have requested permission to interview Redskins DBs coach Raheem Morris for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

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Dan Grazinao of ESPN takes a look at some candidates that could Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, who was fired on Wednesday.

Granziano list includes some notable coaches such as former Falcons HC Mike Smith, former Raiders HC Dennis Allen and Bills DC Jim Schwartz.

According to Granziano, there some within in the Giants pushing to bring back former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. However, Granziano admits that hiring Spagnuolo is no sure thing, and the Giants want to explore all of their options.

Other candidates could include 49ers DC Vic Fangio and Bills DL coach Pepper Johnson.

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Multiple reports have confirmed that the Giants are, in fact, parting ways with defensive coordinator Perry Fewell on Wednesday.

Jason La Canfora reports the Giants’ search for a new defensive coordinator will begin immediately.

• According to La Canfora, there is a desire to bring back former defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, but he currently has a position with the Ravens as their secondary coach.
• Art Stapleton mentions that Spagnuolo is “certainly in the mix” to replace Fewell.
• La Canfora also expects Falcons DC Mike Nolan to get “strong consideration” from the Giants as well.

There has been some talk that the Giants could target Spagnuolo as a replacement to Fewell, so this really shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

This year, Fewell’s defense was the 29th in total yards allowed and No. 22 overall in points allowed.