NFL

Potential candidates to replace Kevin Gilbride

With Kevin Gilbride announcing his retirement, the Giants need a new offensive coordinator. Here are four potential candidates:

Mike Sullivan, former Buccaneers offensive coordinator

Greatly respected within Giants organization. Tom Coughlin’s receivers coach for six years and worked with Eli Manning as quarterbacks coach for two years. An Army grad, Sullivan, 46, introduced Lt. Col. Greg Gadson to Coughlin and the Giants. Serious, refined man who was a defensive coach before Coughlin switched him to offense in 2002 in Jacksonville. Buccaneers set all sorts of records in 2012 during Sullivan’s first year running the offense. Part of Greg Schiano’s staff that got axed.

Eric Studesville, Broncos running backs coach

Studeville, 46, does not have a Coughlin connection but is known within Giants circles as former running backs coach for Jim Fassel from 2001-2003. Considered a sharp guy and future coordinator. Had a taste of the hot seat as the interim head coach in Denver for the last four games (he went 1-3) in 2010 after Josh McDaniels was fired.

Pete Carmichael Jr., Saints offensive coordinator

Carmichael Jr., 42, does not have a connection to Coughlin, but his father, Pete Carmichael, was a Coughlin assistant as the receivers coach for the Jaguars from 1994-1999. Also served as quarterbacks coach in New Orleans. This would be a lateral move, but Coughlin is a lot older than Sean Payton and maybe the potential line of succession is more appealing.

John McNulty, former Buccaneers quarterbacks coach

Here’s another guy with ties to Coughlin, as he was the receivers coach in Jacksonville from 1998-2002. McNulty, 45, was the offensive coordinator at Rutgers in 2008 and has also been an assistant with the Cowboys and Cardinals. He played safety at Penn State.