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The New York Giants have their head coach in Pat Shurmur. What Shurmur does not have yet is a staff of assistant coaches, and the rumor mill is buzzing from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. as to how that staff might be constructed.
There appears to be a new, and highly intriguing, candidate to become Giants’ defensive coordinator. Former Arizona Cardinals’ defensive coordinator James Bettcher, let go this week by new head coach Steve Wilks, will reportedly meet with the Giants and Tennessee Titans about their vacancies.
Bettcher, 39, was the defensive coordinator for the Cardinals the past three seasons. In each of those years, Arizona ranked in the top six in defense. Bettcher did receive an interview from the Cardinals for their head-coaching job before it was given to Wilks.
Recent reports had indicated that former Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio was the front-runner for the job. Those reports, though, came before Arizona parted ways with Bettcher.
Bettcher has one major backer in former Arizona coach Bruce Arians:
“I look at names that people are throwing out right now [as head coaching candidates],” says Arians, “and I’m shocked that James isn’t amongst them. He is extremely bright, high energy, an excellent communicator. When I first met him at Indianapolis, I knew he was going to be a star.”
Our Dan Pizzuta also likes the idea of hiring Bettcher:
The more I think about James Bettcher as DC for the Giants, the more fun I think it would be. Adapts scheme to players, won't be tied to a 3-4 base. There is no "base," there's barely positions. Defense is aggressive and disciplined. It's controlled chaos.
— Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta) January 23, 2018
3rd&8 vs SEA. Cardinals show blitz, rush 4, but not the four that would be expected. Defenders in coverage drop back to the first down marker, there's nowhere to go. pic.twitter.com/2ZX6Z23LL0
— Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta) January 23, 2018
2nd&11 vs NYG. Show blitz and bring it. There's a stunt and the blitzing DB goes to vacated gap. Eli has to toss the ball and there's a perfectly positioned safety for INT. pic.twitter.com/M98TEQx6HH
— Dan Pizzuta (@DanPizzuta) January 23, 2018