New direction for Giants, Cardinals
The New York Giants and the Arizona Cardinals both hired head football coaches Monday from opposing NFL staffs, plucking Pat Shurmur from Minnesota and Steve Wilks from Carolina.
Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur has been hired as the New York Giants head coach.
The Giants announced the hiring late Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours after Shurmur and the Vikings were beaten by the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC title game.
The 52-year-old Shurmur replaces Ben McAdoo, who was fired in early December with the team mired with a 2-10 record and owners and fans upset with his handling of the benching of two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo took over for the final four games and posted a 1-3 record.
Shurmur was one of six candidates to interview for the job. He returns to the head coaching ranks for the first time since leading the Cleveland Browns in 2011-12.
Shurmur takes over a troubled team that posted a 3-13 record a year after making the playoffs.
Cardinals hire new head coach
Steve Wilks is the new head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
The Cardinals announced Monday that the 48-year-old Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator had agreed to a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth.
Wilks spent one season as coordinator in Carolina, his 12th year as an NFL assistant. Wilks spent five seasons as Panthers secondary coach before his promotion a year ago.
Wilks replaces the colorful and outspoken Bruce Arians, who retired after five seasons and compiled a franchise-record 50 victories.
Panthers name new defensive coordinator
The Carolina Panthers wasted little time naming a new defensive coordinator after Wilks left to become head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera promoted defensive line coach Eric Washington as Wilks' replacement on Monday, just hours after the hiring of Wilks became official.
Wilks' departure means the Panthers will enter next season with three new coordinators.
Rivera fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula two days after the season and replaced him with Norv Turner. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was replaced by former assistant coach Chase Blackburn. McGaughey's contract was up and he wanted to pursue other options.