After failing to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons, change could be on the horizon in New York. The first change looks to be on the offensive side of the ball.
According to the Newark Star-Ledger, the Giants are set to cut ties with longtime offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.
Gilbride, 62, has been calling plays under head coach Tom Coughlin since the two were coaching the Jacksonville Jaguars. Gilbride has often been the scapegoat when the offense has struggled, but the decline in the past two seasons is beginning to become a trend.
The Giants finished with the 28th-ranked offense in the league this season, and of course, Eli Manning threw a league-high 27 interceptions. Not only did Manning struggle with turnovers, the rushing attack was non-existent for the majority of the season, ending the year ranked 29th.
Not only could Gilbride be on his way out, but according to the report, parting ways with Gilbride could mean the end for Coughlin. The Giants’ head coach could resign from the team if he is forced to fire his longtime assistant.
Owner John Mara promised changes in the organization after the Giants’ regular-season finale vs. the Redskins and called the offense “broken.” It was believed Coughlin would be kept until his deal expires at the conclusion of the 2014 season.
Coughlin led the Giants to Superbowl wins in 2007 and 2011 and has made the playoffs in five of his ten seasons with the team. Over the last two seasons, however, the Giants have gone 10-14 since the second half of last season.
