Coughlin Fires Defensive Coordinator

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.— Tim Lewis was fired as the Giants' defensive coordinator yesterday, a move that will give embattled coach Tom Coughlin two new top assistants in a likely make-orbreak season.

The move came just a day after management gave the 60-year-old Coughlin a lukewarm one-year contract extension through 2008. His charge: make the Giants more than simply a playoff team.

Neither Lewis, who interviewed for the vacant head coaching job in Miami on Wednesday, nor Coughlin was immediately available for comment.

Kevin Gilbride, who took over the play-calling after offensive coordinator John Hufnagel was relieved on Christmas Day, is the favorite to run the offense next season. There have been reports that Miami defensive coordinator Dom Capers, who worked with Coughlin in Jacksonville, will run the defense if he is not promoted to the top job with the Dolphins.