Giants fire DC Shane Bowen after another late-game defensive collapse

The New York Giants have fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, according to Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The news comes one day after New York blew another double-digit lead in a Week 12 loss to the Detroit Lions on the road. Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen has been tabbed as the Giants’ interim defensive coordinator, Stapleton has reported.

Leading 27-17 with 11 minutes to play on Sunday, Nov. 23, the Giants let their lead slip by giving up a 49-yard rushing touchdown to Jahmyr Gibbs, then a game-tying, 59-yard field goal with 30 seconds left.

Bowen’s defense has been maligned this season for its inability to maintain leads down the stretch. Through 12 weeks, New York has won just two of the seven games in which the team has taken a double-digit lead.

Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka told reporters after the team’s Week 11 loss to the Green Bay Packers that he did not foresee making any changes to the coaching staff.

‘We’re going to evaluate all the players. We’re going to evaluate all the coaches, the calls, be hypercritical of that, and then find out those areas where we can be better and knock those things out,’ he said.

Another blown lead late in Week 12 was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Bowen’s time in New York.