Losing Perry Fewell Would Be Huge Blow To New York Giants

It happens all the time. Assistant coaches that have success with their respective units get interest from other organizations when coaching vacancies open up.

The New York Giants, despite missing the playoffs this year, are going through it. Both coordinators, Perry Fewell and Kevin Gilbride are reportedly being coveted by other teams.

Gilbride, the Giants offensive coordinator, is rumored to be a candidate to fill the head coaching vacancy at the University of Connecticut. Would losing Gilbride be such a bad thing for the Giants? I’m not so sure.

Losing defensive coordinator Perry Fewell however would be a huge lose. For the Giants, their defense was top notch this season. Sure they had some collapses but overall they were one of the leagues best units.

At least three teams are interested in Fewell. The Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers, and San Francisco 49ers have asked permission to interview the Giants defensive leader.

Under Fewell’s leadership, the Giants defense finished seventh overall in yards given up per game. Opponents converted a league low 32% on third downs against New York.

Fewell brought new energy to a defensive unit that was in shambles after the 2009-10 season. The Giants defense flew around the field all year long, playing hard no matter what.

New York forced an NFL high 42 fumbles, 23 of which the Giants recovered.

Credit Fewell with motivating Osi Umenyiora once again and getting the most out of the big defensive end. This was a very important task for the Giants this season and it payed off. Umenyiora had a pro bowl caliber season despite being left off the games roster.

With reports saying head coach Tom Coughlin will receive a contract extension, you would like to see Fewell stick around giving the coaching staff some stability. Giants fans would sure love to see Fewell running the defense once again. Losing Fewell could be devastating for New York.

In the case of Carolina and Cleveland, Fewell is the only known minority candidate at this point. The Rooney Rule states that every team must interview at least one minority candidate. However, in San Francisco’s case, there is another minority candidate in the mix. Hugh Jackson is a candidate for the 49ers as well, meaning their interest in Fewell goes beyong the Rooney Rule.

Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants should do whatever they can to make sure Perry Fewell is running the teams defense next season.