EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur was hired as the Giants head coach Monday afternoon.
The Giants announced the hiring less than 24 hours after Shurmur and the Vikings were beaten by the Eagles in the NFC title game.
Shurmur, 52, replaces Ben McAdoo, who was fired in early December with the team 2-10 and owners and fans upset with his handling of the benching of two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.
Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo took over for the final four games and went 1-3.
Shurmur "has an outstanding track record in developing young players, and it is clear his players respond to his guidance and direction," co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch said in a statement. "We interviewed six talented and qualified candidates, and we feel like Pat, with his vision and experience, is the right person to lead our team."
The Giants won't officially introduce Shurmur until Friday. A winter storm in the Midwest is preventing him from coming to New Jersey today, and he will be at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., tonight through Thursday.
Shurmur returns to head coaching for the first time since leading the Browns in 2011-12.
Cards pick Carolina DC
PHOENIX — Steve Wilks is the new head coach of the Cardinals.
Arizona announced that the 48-year-old Panthers defensive coordinator had agreed to a four-year contract with a team option for a fifth.
Wilks spent one season as coordinator in Carolina, his 12th year as an NFL assistant. Wilks spent five seasons as Panthers secondary coach before his promotion a year ago.
Wilks replaces the outspoken Bruce Arians, who retired after five seasons and compiled a franchise-record 50 victories.
With the hiring of Wilks, all three major football programs in the state have African-American coaches — Wilks, Herm Edwards at Arizona State and Kevin Sumlin at Arizona.
FALCONS: Greg Knapp is returning to the team as quarterback coach, replacing Bush Hamdan, who left to become offensive coordinator at the University of Washington.
PANTHERS: Eric Washington was named defensive coordinator, replacing Wilks. Washington has served as the team's defensive line coach for the past seven seasons.
SEAHAWKS: They "mutually parted ways" with defensive assistant coach Travis Jones after five seasons with the team.