Art Stapleton | NFL writer

USA TODAY

After firing Pat Shurmur, the New York Giants are searching for a head coach for the third time in five years. Keep coming back here throughout the process as we continually update with the latest news, rumors and candidates lists.

Rhule of the day

Baylor coach Matt Rhule is believed to be the favorite to land the gig, provided he is willing to leave the college program for the pros.

If the Giants want him, something might come together very soon - especially with the news that Mike McCarthy - who interviewed with them last week - is signing to be the next head coach of the Cowboys.

Rhule and the Giants will get together for an interview Tuesday, a source confirmed for NorthJersey.com and USA TODAY NETWORK Northeast. The Giants are not getting the first crack at speaking with Rhule, though, as he will interview with the Panthers on Monday.

I've gotten this question regarding Rhule: why didn't the Giants keep him on staff after the 2012 season if they really liked him?

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Simple answer: Finding a Tom Coughlin successor was the furthest thing from their mind one year removed from Super Bowl XLVI. But Rhule definitely made an impression on the players, coaches and personnel in the organization.

Interviews continue

The Giants have also been granted permission to interview a pair of Patriots: offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and special teams coordinator/WR coach Joe Judge. Those two will be scheduled in the aftermath of New England's playoff game in Foxboro against the Titans on Saturday night. Word from McDaniels' camp is that he will do his interviews next Friday, Jan. 10.

Cowboys defensive pass coordinator Kris Richard interviewed with the Giants on Thursday.

Mike McCarthy is Cowboys coach

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Photos: Mike McCarthy with the Packers

Former Packers coach Mike McCarthy, who interviewed Friday with the Giants, will be the next head coach of the Dallas Cowboys.

McCarthy interviewed with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones over the weekend.

He spent this season trying to reinvent himself as a coach, even with a Super Bowl ring in his pocket.

Kris Richard: Bringing the Boom

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Can Kris Richard bring Legion of Boom 2.0 to the Giants? The former Seahawks defensive coordinator went to Dallas for more experience, and now it appears he may be ready to move on to another opportunity after serving as defensive passing game coordinator. Here are three things to know about his candidacy with the Giants and an early verdict: READ MORE

Casting a wider net, or so it seems

Don't think there's any question the Giants have expanded their criteria in what is their third coaching search in five years. Matt Rhule is still expected to emerge as a strong candidate and likely favorite, but it's early in the process, and team brass seems to be casting a wide net - much wider than previously.

Also in the conversation are Ravens defensive coordinator Don "Wink" Martindale and Patriots special teams coordinator Joe Judge. The Giants have put requests in for permission to interview the trio, as they did previously with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Cowboys defensive assistant and passing game coordinator Kris Richard and Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.

Rhule coached Baylor in the Sugar Bowl on Wednesday night in New Orleans against Georgia, and he has tried to keep his plans regarding the interview circuit due to NFL interest quiet, even downplaying a possible leap. He reportedly declined an interview request from the Browns, and told reporters in New Orleans on Tuesday that he plans on returning to Baylor next season.

But Rhule also reportedly told his players over the weekend that he would listen to overtures from NFL teams, and it's believed he and the Giants would be a match. We'll see how things proceed from here.

Rob Ferguson, USA TODAY Sports

Giants co-owner and team president John Mara, along with GM Dave Gettleman, will lead the search with input from co-owner Steve Tisch.

“The search will be extensive,” Mara said. “We understand this is a very big decision for our franchise. We've had three losing years in a row and, quite frankly, we have lost some standing as an organization. When you have three losing years in a row as we have, you face a lot of criticism. A lot of it is deserved. It's up to us now to turn that around and get back to where I think we should be.”

Consider those interviewed in the two previous searches:

2016 (6): Ben McAdoo, Mike Smith, Steve Spagnuolo, Adam Gase, Teryl Austin, Doug Marrone

2018 (6): Pat Shurmur, Steve Spagnuolo, Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia, Steve Wilks, Eric Studesville

Gettleman set for 'The Dating Game'

Danielle Parhizkaran/NorthJersey.com

Gettleman had his post-season news conference Tuesday, and among the takeaways was his reaction to the notion that his presence could keep possible coaching candidates away fro the Giants' search. "It’s the dating game. There will be an opportunity for them to look me in the eyes and say, ‘Hey Dave, what up?’" READ MORE

What the new coach is looking at

Whomever the Giants hire as their new head coach will have big decisions to make this year. Perhaps the biggest one will come this spring in the NFL Draft.

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Locker room at the end of NY Giants 2019 season