Ben McAdoo, the New York Giants offensive coordinator for the past two NFL seasons, was promoted to head coach on Thursday, team chairman Steve Tisch announced.

The Giants stayed within the staff to replace Tom Coughlin, who stepped down last week after 12 seasons in the post. He had been mentioned as a candidate to guide divisional rival Philadelphia but Coughlin on Thursday broke off those talks.

McAdoo, at 38, will be the second-youngest head coach in the NFL, just one year older than new Miami coach Adam Gase.

McAdoo's promotion means the Giants will keep the same offensive schemes for quarterback Eli Manning as this past season, when they went 6-10 -- allowing the third-most points of any team in the NFL campaign.

"I'm honored," McAdoo said. "It has been a privilege to work and learn under coach Coughlin. I have been preparing for this moment my entire professional life."

McAdoo interviewed Tuesday with team president John Mara and general manager Jerry Reese and spoke with Tisch on Wednesday.

"Ben is an outstanding young coach who has great experience and has done a good job as our offensive coordinator these past two years," Mara said. "We were all impressed with his energy, his enthusiasm, his vision and his desire.

"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."

McAdoo will start quickly as talent analysis ahead of free agency and the NFL Draft is already well under way as the Giants look to repeat their championship success of the 2007 and 2011 seasons.
Source: AFP