EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — A little over two years ago, Giants co-owner John Mara was convinced he had found a rising coaching star when offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo was promoted to replace two-time Super Bowl champion Tom Coughlin.



“Ben has been preparing for this opportunity since he started coaching and he has earned his stripes every step of the way,” Mara said after hiring the then-38-year-old McAdoo in January 2016. “Some have suggested he may not be ready, and as I said last week, we want a coach who feels like he has something to prove.”



Mara’s faith was not rewarded. The Giants surprisingly went 11-5 and ended a five-year playoff drought in McAdoo’s debut season. But McAdoo’s second year was such a disaster that he became the first Giants coach to be fired in-season since Bill Arnsparger in 1976.



The Giants tabbed Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who was head coach of the Browns from 2011-12,...