The New York Giants made coaching news on Wednesday.
Marc Colombo, the offensive line coach, was abruptly fired.
Coach Joe Judge’s statement said:
“We appreciate what Marc has done, but I felt like this move is in the best interest of the team.”
It was later reported that Colombo was fired for “insubordination.”
What Happened?
No additional information was provided.
As media outlets were digging for more information, a common theme emerged.
What prompted the firing was a reported fistfight between Judge and Colombo.
Heard from a bunch of people today. I am convinced Joe Judge & Mark Colombo never got physical. I do believe Colombo called Judge, his boss, one of the dirtiest words in the English language.
(Shoutout to person who told me prior to season that Colombo wouldn't work out.) #NYG— Kim Jones (@KimJonesSports) November 18, 2020
SCOOP: I'm told NY Giants coaches Joe Judge and Marc Colombo got into a fistfight this morning.
Punches thrown. I'm told Colombo got the better of him, and Judge fired him instantly. https://t.co/O2DmYNnkmW
— Jason McIntyre (@jasonrmcintyre) November 18, 2020
However, ESPN reported there was plenty of name calling but no fistfight.
“A Giants spokesperson said the report of a physical altercation is absolutely false in every way.”
Background
Coach Judge intended to bring Dave DeGuglielmo onto the coaching staff as a consultant.
DeGuglielmo interviewed for the offensive line coaching position in January, but Colombo was selected for the job instead.
Judge and DeGuglielmo worked together when both were with the Patriots in 2014-2015.
Joe Judge worked as special teams coordinator, and DeGuglielmo was the offensive line coach.
Judge and Colombo did not have a previous working relationship.
Colombo came to the New Giants in 2020 from Dallas with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett.
In Dallas, Marc Colombo was the offensive line coach during Garrett’s tenure as head coach.
How Things Went Down
On Tuesday night, Coach Judge told Colombo that he hired DeGuglielmo as a consultant last week.
This information was news to Colombo and pretty much everyone else.
(Last week came and went with the Golden Tate saga, and no one knew Judge added a consultant to the coaching staff.)
Sources told The New York Daily News that the conversation became “unprofessional”.
Colombo was immediately fired.
Apparently, Judge had no intention to fire Colombo.
He wanted to bring in extra help to work with the offensive line.
The Giants offensive line has struggled, giving up 31 sacks (3rd worst in the NFL) in 10 games.
It’s a miracle that Giants QB Daniel Jones is still upright given the pressure he’s been under this season.
As a result of the firing, DeGuglielmo is promoted from consultant to offensive line coach.
Giants Remaining Schedule
Despite all the drama that has followed the New York Giants this season, the team is still in the playoff hunt.
Of course, the NFC East is wide open for the taking so it’s a question of which below .500 will prevail.
NFC East standings after 10 weeks:#Eagles 3-5-1#Giants 3-7#Washington 2-7#Dallas 2-7
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) November 15, 2020
The Giants have a bye in Week 11, but the rest of the season is challenging.
There are games with Seattle, Arizona, and Baltimore coming up.
The Giants are coming off a two game win streak against divisional rivals Washington and Philadelphia.
Despite all of the off-the-field drama, the Giants are trending in the right direction and have as good a chance as anyone in the NFC East to win the division.
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