Coughlin makes two changes on coaching staff

Updated: March 1, 2012, 7:32 PM ET
Associated Press

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants named Sean Ryan quarterbacks coach and promoted Kevin M. Gilbride, the son of their offensive coordinator, to receivers coach.

Coach Tom Coughlin announced the moves Thursday, less than a month after the Giants won the Super Bowl.

Ryan, 39, the receivers coach the past two seasons, replaces Mike Sullivan, who was named offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay. Gilbride, the son of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, spent two years as the offensive quality control coach.

"Continuity is important," Coughlin said. "It's not that I don't think there are some talented people out there. But I do think that these two are very talented. And the best approach we could possibly take would be to continue to support our players at those positions with people who are products of the system."

The Giants ranked eighth in offense in 2011, including fifth in passing yards. They scored 394 points, ninth highest in the NFL.

Ryan's biggest job will be working with Eli Manning, who set franchise records with 589 passes, 359 completions and 4,933 yards last year. Manning orchestrated wins over the Jets and Cowboys to end the regular season, allowing New York to clinch the NFC East at 9-7. They then, of course, went on to defeat the Falcons, Packers, 49ers and Patriots in the postseason.

"I'm excited about Sean Ryan," Manning said. "He's a guy that's been in this system, worked his way from the ground up and spent two years with the receivers. He's a young guy who is energetic. He's driven to continue to learn.

"I know he's going to get prepared for drills. I got a chance to talk to him yesterday and will continue to talk to him when we get back for the offseason program on what I want to work on, what I need to improve on and how we can get on the same page."

Coughlin still has to fill two openings: The offensive quality control position vacated by Gilbride, 32, and an assistant offensive line title. Jack Bicknell, Jr., left that position to coach offensive line for the Kansas City Chiefs.


Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press

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