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New York Giants: Hue Jackson an intriguing head coaching candidate

By Ryan Disdier

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With Tom Coughlin likely out as head coach of the New York Giants, the team will have a big void to fill. Hue Jackson is one candidate to fill that spot

At this point, saying the New York Giants had a bad season would be like beating the dead horse. We know they stunk this year, especially down the stretch.

Recently, the experienced head coach took all the blame for his team’s failures. He probably didn’t have to say that, but Coughlin is one of the classiest guys in football.

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“If you want to break it all down, blame it on me. I’m the head coach. I’m responsible. We lose, I lose the game for our players. Put it that way. Leave it that way,” Coughlin said, according to Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.

The way Coughlin spoke seems like the end of his tenure with the Giants is eerily near.

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So if Coughlin’s gone, the team needs a new head coach. Obviously an in-house candidate like current offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo or current defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo are possibilities. But it’s also worth considering an outside hire.

One potential candidate is Hue Jackson, who is currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the AFC North Champion Cincinnati Bengals.

Jackson, unlike McAdoo, has experience as a head coach. And unlike Spagnuolo, Jackson has coached a team with at least a .500 record. After serving one year as the OC, Jackson was the lead man in Oakland in 2011, and he was able to get a lot of production out of some “okay” pieces.

The focal points of his offense consisted of Carson Palmer (who at that time, looked washed up, mind you), Michael Bush, Darren McFadden, Denarius Moore and Darrius Heyward-Bey. Sure, those guys are talented, but none of them are exactly world-beaters.

Still, even with the chips he was dealt, Oakland still finished with the league’s ninth-ranked total offense. Ironically enough, the team that finished with the eighth-best offense was the Giants, who were benefiting from the best year of Eli Manning‘s career, as well as the emergence of Victor Cruz.

After Oakland, Jackson returned to Cincy as a defensive backs coach in 2012, before becoming the running backs coach in 2013. The following year, Jackson took over as offensive coordinator, which is the position he currently holds today.

With Jackson as the OC, Andy Dalton has flourished and was a serious MVP candidate before he injured his hand.

Obviously, Jackson has a lot of experience with offense and defense. He’s learned under some great coaches, too, including Marty Shottenheimer, Marvin Lewis and John Harbaugh.

Aug 24, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson talks with quarterback Andy Dalton (14), quarterback Keith Wenning (3) and quarterback AJ McCarron (5) during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 25-11. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

What makes Jackson such an intriguing candidate, though, is how he acts a lot younger than his age, but in a good way. Jackson is 50 years old, but he’s as spry as a 35-year-old head coach. He brings high energy and enthusiasm to every practice and game.

During the 2013 of HBO’s hit show Hard Knocks, Jackson was regularly talking smack to players and appearing to have fun. 

He gets his players to buy into his methods, and that’s how he got that Raiders team to play so well. Jackson gets his players to match his energy level and the result is inspired football.

There’s obviously some drawbacks that would come from a potential Jackson hire, though. For one, it’s hard to tell what he would do to the offense. If he desired to change it, then Eli Manning would have to learn a second offense in three years. He picked up on Ben McAdoo’s scheme relatively quickly, but remember, Eli’s turning 35 soon.

That might not be an entirely bad thing, though. If Jackson’s offense surged with Palmer and Jason Campbell under center, imagine what he would be able to do with Eli, Odell Beckham Jr. and other, more talented weapons.

There’s also a good chance Jackson would abandon the troubled four running back approach the Giants have used so ineffectively this year.

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Jackson’s personality may also make him a long shot to coach in New York. He has a lot of bravado and confidence, which is exactly what Rex Ryan had. That might work against Jackson in The Big Apple, but if he’s able to help expedite the rebuild process, would anyone really mind?

I don’t think Jackson is going to be the front-runner to be the next head coach for the Giants. But if the Bengals make a significant run in the playoffs, I’d expect the Giants to at least look into the possibility.

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