Could the Giants keep Spagnuolo?

by VanRam on Jan 14, 2009 12:59 PM CST in Head Coach Search Comment 7 comments

Here's a new wrinkle in the Rams search for a head coach. Some are starting to think the Giants DC Steve Spagnuolo is the favorite, and GM Billy Devaney and ownership interview him tomorrow. He's on the short list for the Jets and Lions too, but he doesn't look like the favorite in either case.

But there's another team in the mix: the Giants.

With Tom Coughlin's contract expiring in 2011, the Giants might consider an offer to Spagnuolo to be the head coach in waiting. From the NY Daily News:

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 Rams finish up their interview tomorrow with Spagnuolo, so expect news soon thereafter.

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Rooney Rule

Yeah I think the Giants would try to keep him, but remember what happened to the Rams this year with Haslett. They said they would sign Haslett as the head coach if the Rams won 6 games. But before anything could happen, Goddell stepped in and enforced the Rooney Rule. So, I don’t see how the Giants can sign this contract with Spag since the Rooney Rule forces them to interview an African American candidate…

by RamsMan83 on Jan 14, 2009 2:25 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he trusts

ownership enough to do it on a handshake and keep it out of the news? Of course, they might forget about a “gentleman’s agreement” if the defense has a really bad season.

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by Toddius on Jan 14, 2009 2:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

It wouldn't apply in this case

Look at the Seahawks. Jim Mora, Jr. got the job. No interviews. No Rooney Rule. For whatever reason, if you plan in advance to name the successor to your head coach, then you don’t have to go through the whole interview process. Haslett was named HC after Linehan was fired so that’s why there’s a difference.

I’m sure the Giants would have to make their intentions public (or at least known to the League), in order to get around the Rule. And, I’m trying to remember here, but I don’t think there ever was a formal interview process when the Rams named Martz as Vermiel’s replacement. And I’m pretty sure the Rooney Rule was in place back then.

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by Tackle Box on Jan 14, 2009 3:10 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

the league has a funny way of

enforcing that rule. Haslett didn’t qualify since he was made interim, but a “promotion” from within is under the radar.

by VanRam on Jan 14, 2009 3:14 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The reason Haslett didn't qualify...

The Rams fired Linehan before they named a successor. In fact, they waited a day or so before naming Haslett as their choice. That created an official “job opening.” And hence, an interviewable position.

I think it’s a blessing in disguise for the Rams, forcing them into the interview process and a serious discussion of who the best man for the job might be. Succession candidates are at best caretakers of the previous regime – then they lose steam when the personnel that made the regime work age out of the team, and can’t find the magic again. Think George Siefert, Barry Switzer, Mike Martz, Bill Callahan in Oakland, etc.

And personally, I’m thrilled that Jim Mora Jr will be succeeding Holmgren in Seattle. That effectively takes one possible division contender and thrusts them into oblivion.

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by taiko on Jan 15, 2009 8:48 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Well I agree with the whole Jim Mora, Jr. thing but Goddell jumped all over the Rams when the Rams said that if Haslett won 6 games as interm, then he would get the job as head coach for the 09-10 season. A little consistancy is all I ask from Goddell!!!

by RamsMan83 on Jan 14, 2009 3:55 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Ultimately, the Rooney rule has been an unqualified success

Black coaches and coordinators are being hired at rates that far eclipsed those of fifteen or twenty years ago, and as a group, they are succeeding in proving the worthiness of their candidacies. The rule has injected the league with a fresh wave of opportunity and competition.

There may come a time soon when it simply isn’t needed. But for now, this minor hiccup for the Rams isn’t enough to get stirred up about. Ironically, Haslett actually has a stronger chance of keeping the job after being ‘forced’ to interview for it than he would have if the original ‘win 6 games and you’re in’ mandate had stuck.

"Attaway to stomp 'em. Stomp the piss out of 'em. Stomp 'em when they're down. Kick 'em and stomp 'em. Attaway to go boys. Pound that old Budweiser into you and go get them tomorrow." -- Joe Schultz

by taiko on Jan 15, 2009 8:56 AM CST reply actions 0 recs