Gilbride Promoted to Offensive Coordinator

The Giants announced today that quarterbacks coach Kevin Gilbride received a promotion to become the new offensive coordinator. His predecessor John Hufnagel left the team after being stripped of his playcalling duties prior to the regular season finale. Gilbride assumed those responsibilities in the Giants final two games and apparently showed enough to the organization to remain on board. He's been the coach most closely associated with Eli Manning throughout the young quarterback's career.

This move elicits mixed emotions. There are many positives to this move. Both owning families have stressed the importance of maintaining stability in the organization so retaining coaches aligns with that notion. He also brings over 30 years of coaching experience, including a head coaching stint in San Diego. The offense did show improvement during his two game tenure as play-caller and he has proven to be effective in that role in the past. However, the organization is concerned about the progress of Eli Mannning. Gilbride has had three years to work with the franchise quarterback and he has not progressed at the rate he should be. Ownership emphasizes continuity, but this is an organization in need of a new direction. Departed GM Ernie Accorsi has acquired playmakers who need to be allowed more freedom. In coaches Coughlin and Gilbride, the offense is adhering to an old school philosophy with new school players. A new face (or faces) would have been a refreshing look to an underachieving offense that is losing it's most valuable player. Now that they've decided to promote "in-house" for the offensive coordinator, they should look to fill other voids from outside. Bringing in someone like Steve Sarkisian (the USC quarterbacks coach) to work with Eli Manning would be a terrific move. Sarkisian is certainly a stretch as he searches for a head coaching position, but the Giants need to make a big move in whoever they bring in.