Wannstedt Favored to Become Giants’ Coach

Dallas Cowboy defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt is the early favorite to become the New York Giants’ head coach after Tom Coughlin’s decision Tuesday to remain at Boston College.

“I have not been contacted by anyone in the NFL regarding a head coaching job,” Wannstedt said in a statement released through the Cowboys.

Wannstedt, 40, reportedly has been high on General Manager George Young’s list of prospective coaches since last Wednesday’s firing of Ray Handley.

Wannstedt, an assistant coach at Pitt, Oklahoma State, USC and Miami before joining the Cowboys along with Jimmy Johnson in 1989, was a finalist for the top job with the Pittsburgh Steelers last year, losing out to Bill Cowher.