Tom Coughlin In Trouble As Giants Coach: Who Are His Possible Replacements?

The hot seat of New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin could be at its highest after losing to the Green Bay Packers and likely missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

Coughlin may only be a few years removed from a Super Bowl victory, but expectations are high in New York and it will continue to stay that way.

Coughlin's job status has been speculated for quite a few weeks now, and with back to back losses their playoff hopes look slim.

If that's the case, there will be more than likely a new head coach in Big Blue country. Who are some of the contenders if the job opens up? Here is my list of possible candidates for the New York Giants job.

I am an NFL Featured Columnist for BleacherReport.com.

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Perry Fewell

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 27: Head coach Perry Fewell of the Buffalo Bills looks on from the sidelines against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on December 27, 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell has been praised by the Giants for the majority of the season as the defense has lived up to its potential in many ways.

Could he be the next head coach of the Giants? He is a very popular guy in the locker room and has pleased the front office of the Giants thus far.

If improvements continue to be made on the defensive side, and general manager Jerry Reese does indeed make a change, I can see Fewell becoming the next coach to lead this franchise.

John Fox

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Head coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers watches on during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox is unlikely to return at the end of this season. That doesn't mean he can't be linked to the Giants' head coaching job.

Fox has coached the Giants in the past and should have a grasp of how to handle the huge media market of New York.

Unlike Carolina, the Giants are willing to spend money to improve the product on the field. If Fox is given the talent through the draft and free agency, I see no reason why the Giants can't be a contender in the NFC in 2011.

Jeff Fisher

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Jeff Fisher of the Tennessee Titans looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Kansas City Chiefs on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Ima

Jeff Fisher is in a similar situation as John Fox. There is a good chance his long tenure as coach of the Titans will come to an end after next week, and will explore other possible openings.

The Giants seem like a good fit for Fisher. Fisher is a no-nonsense type of coach who can handle anything the New York media throws at him and can keep his locker room in line.

Fisher wouldn't say no to coach a team that has as much talent as the Giants, since he has never seen such a high crop of good players during his time in Tennessee.

Jon Gruden

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ATLANTA - DECEMBER 14: Coach Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers directs play against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on December 14, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

As potential head coaching positions continue to open up, Jon Gruden is stuck in the middle of all the speculation.

If the Giants' position opens up, I can't see why he wouldn't be interested as it could arguably be the best job on the market.

From both the talent standpoint and being right near New York City, if the Giants want to consider bringing in Gruden as their coach I see no reason for him to turn down a chance at this opportunity.

Bill Cowher

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PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 24: Head Coach Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the NFL game against the Cincinnati Bengals on September 24, 2006 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Bengals won the game 28-20. (Photo by Greg

Bill Cowher has been linked to every possible head coaching position that could be open at the end of the season.

However, we haven't heard any more speculation than when it comes to Cowher becoming the new coach of the Giants.

The talk began in the pre-season when the pressure was put on Tom Coughlin to win this year. This same speculation continued to heat up throughout the season during the Giants' struggles.

A few weeks ago Cowher even put the Giants on top of his wish list on potential openings, if he does indeed return to coaching.

Cowher may have won only one title with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but led one of the more successful organizations in the NFL which produced plenty of winning seasons and two Super Bowl appearances.