One coach called, one coach visited, one coach dined and more are about to check in.
That about sums up the latest twists and turns on the Giants coaching search.
Barring any unexpected changes, the Giants conducted a virtual interview with Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, hosted former Falcons and Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris for an in-person interview, and ate dinner with franchise great Antonio Pierce ahead of his in-person interview Friday, according to various reports.
All while setting up a virtual interview with Broncos special teams coordinator Darren Rizzi — who was the Saints interim head coach for eight games (3-5) in 2024 — and showing interest in speaking to Broncos quarterbacks coach Davis Webb.
The 30-year-old Webb was a Giants draft pick in 2017 and started the 2022 regular-season finale before his early retirement.
Why the heavy Broncos flavor? Because, under NFL rules, only assistants for the Broncos and Seahawks — the No. 1 seeds in the AFC and NFC playoffs, respectively — are available this week for interviews (all virtual) from postseason participants.
Joseph (2016) and Rizzi (2009-16) worked with Giants general manager Joe Schoen while he was in the Dolphins front office. Webb is a former Schoen free-agent signing, and a protégé with the Bills and Giants of the recently fired Brian Daboll.
Rizzi and Morris are New Jersey natives.
By bringing in Morris, who was fired Sunday by the Falcons despite a four-game winning streak to finish with back-to-back 8-9 records, and Pierce, the Giants will have met the Rooney Rule requirements to conduct two in-person interviews with external candidates.
Pierce was fired as Raiders head coach at the end of the 2024 season — after a 26-game stint that included beating the Giants in his debut — and spent plenty of time hanging around East Rutherford this fall. He is intimately familiar with the Giants operation from ownership down and never afraid to speak his mind, including offering an adversarial stance.
One of the best free-agent signings in Giants history as a middle linebacker, Pierce was the brains behind the decision for players to wear all-black on the flight to Super Bowl 42.
Instead of it being their “funeral,” the Giants upset the undefeated Patriots in one of the NFL’s classic games.
Complying with the Rooney Rule means that the Giants are free to make a hire by the end of Friday.
It does not mean that the search is anywhere near complete given that leading candidate John Harbaugh has not even scheduled an interview yet, and the Giants still intend to meet with former Cowboys and Packers head coach Mike McCarthy as well as Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and other coordinators from teams playing wild-card weekend.
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