Ex-Panthers Assistant Mike Shula Hired As Giants Offensive Coordinator, But Coach Pat Shurmur Will Call Plays

Mike Shula was fired by the Carolina Panthers just last month but has found a new employer: the New York Giants.

Mike Shula Giants hiring news

The 52-year-old assistant spent the past five seasons as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator, but was dismissed after Carolina’s offense finished the 2017 season ranked 19th in total yards per game (323.7). Carolina’s offense was also 28th in passing (192.3 per game), fourth in rushing offense (131.4 per tilt) and 12th in points per game (22.7).

Shula will serve the same role with the Giants, where he will re-team with former Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman. 

Shula previously served as Carolina’s quarterbacks coach, and helped develop Cam Newton’s 2015 MVP season that culminated in the team reaching the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Denver Broncos. The ailing Giants are rumored to use their No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft on a quarterback — given that 37-year-old Eli Manning could soon be nearing the end of his career. Therefore, Shula could very well be mentoring a young signal-caller in his first year.

Head coach Pat Shurmur, the former Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator the Giants hired last month, will still reportedly be the play-caller, as this duty was one of Shula’s notable weakness during his time in Carolina.

NFL Network’s Kimberly Jones reported that the Giants’ formal introduction of Shula will not occur for another “day or two,” and assured fans that this situation is not like that involving Josh McDaniels and Indianapolis. The Patriots offensive coordinator was highly believed to become the Colts’ next head coach, but ultimately backed out at the last minute and decided to stay in New England.

Shula also worked with the Jacksonville Jaguars and had a brief college stint as Alabama’s head coach from 2003 to 2006.

The Giants suffered their worst season in recent memory after finishing 3-10 and firing head coach Ben McAdoo in his second year in charge before the 2017 season ended. General manager Jerry Reese was also dismissed. Big Blue’s offense finished 31st in 2017 and 26th in 2016 in points scored.

Manning threw 19 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions last season.