The New York Giants have had to pivot at offensive coordinator after losing top target Todd Monken to the Cleveland Browns, and the latest OC news connects John Harbaugh’s search to a key member of Jim Harbaugh’s Los Angeles Chargers.
“Sources: The Giants will interview Chargers QBs coach Shane Day for their vacant OC position on Saturday,” NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported late last night on January 29.
Schultz added that “Day is widely regarded as one of the top QB coaches in the NFL and has been instrumental in Justin Herbert’s career. He was a serious candidate for the Chargers’ OC job earlier this month, which eventually went to Mike McDaniel.”
With Jim Harbaugh and the Chargers passing on Day for their offensive coordinator role, he is now free to interview elsewhere, since it would be considered a promotion. Given the family ties to the Harbaugh tree, Day is now considered to be one of the top candidates for the Giants’ job.
Shane Day Could Do Wonders for the Development of Giants QB Jaxson Dart
GettyLos Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterbacks coach Shane Day.
When looking at the pros and cons of every new Giants offensive coordinator candidate, one of the top bullet points of the job description will be: Is this the right coach to develop quarterback Jaxson Dart?
Obviously, from that standpoint, who better than Day? Who, as Schultz noted, is known for his ability as a quarterback teacher and mentor.
Now, that shouldn’t be the only requirement of the Giants’ next OC hire. You still want someone with a plan for the offense and a good head on their shoulders as a playcaller.
John Harbaugh does not call plays. He’s a CEO head coach with a background in special teams.
Needless to say, he’ll need an offensive coordinator who is well-versed in this area. And, for what it’s worth, Day has never held the title of offensive coordinator at the NFL level.
Beginning as a quality control coach with the San Francisco 49ers in 2008 (no overlap with Jim Harbaugh), Day earned his first QBs coach job with the Chicago Bears in 2010.
After two seasons with the Bears, Day joined Washington as an “assistant offensive line/offensive quality control” coach. He then spent three seasons as the Miami Dolphins’ tight ends coach from 2016 through 2018, and two more years with the Niners as their QBs coach from 2019 through 2020.
The closest role Day has held to offensive coordinator came in 2021 and 2022 with the Chargers, but not under Jim Harbaugh. He was the “passing game coordinator” for those two seasons, as well as the quarterbacks coach.
Day left LAC for one year in 2023, joining the Houston Texans. He then returned to the Chargers’ staff after Harbaugh was hired.
More Giants Offensive Coordinator News
A candidate appears to have dropped out of the offensive coordinator search as of January 30, according to ESPN NYG beat reporter Jordan Raanan.
“On Charlie Weis Jr. as the Giants OC: Jaxson Dart pushed for him. Showed support for his guy, per sources. Things can change, but expectations as of now are that Weis Jr. plans to remain in college at LSU,” Raanan relayed.
Weis emerged as a prime candidate after the Monken news because of his connection to Dart. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be a match for Big Blue, based on this new update.
As the offensive coordinator search continues, John Harbaugh and the Giants will likely turn to coaches they know and trust, with Day being one of them. We’ll see where the process leads.
Giants, John Harbaugh Could Poach Next OC From Jim Harbaugh’s Staff: Report