New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will interview Jan. 3 for the New York Jets head coaching vacancy, created two days ago with the firing of Eric Mangini.

Jets assistants Brian Schottenheimer and Bill Callahan, a former National Football League head coach, will interview with the team a day earlier, spokesman Bruce Speight said in an e- mail.

The team also has received permission to talk to Baltimore defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, although no date for a formal interview has been set, Speight confirmed in an e-mail. The 46-year-old Ryan, who is in his fourth season with the Ravens, was a candidate for the head coaching job after Brian Billick was fired last season.

While the Jets' season is complete after failing to reach the NFL postseason, the Giants earned a bye this weekend and home-field advantage throughout the National Football Conference playoffs.

Spagnuolo, 49, is said to be the Jets' leading candidate since former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher removed himself from consideration, the New York Daily News reported without saying where it got the information.

More Talks for Spagnuolo

Spagnuolo, who helped the Giants to a Super Bowl victory earlier this year, interviewed for the Washington Redskins' job after last season before deciding to stay with New York. He's also going to talk with the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Browns, the newspaper said.

The Giants' defense allowed 292 yards per game this season, ranking fifth among the NFL's 32 franchises.

Mangini was fired with a year remaining on his contract after the once 8-3 team finished 9-7 and out the postseason. New York was expected to reach the playoffs this season after adding quarterback Brett Favre in an August trade, plus offensive lineman Alan Faneca, and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins.

Callahan, 52, just completed his first season as the Jets assistant head coach and offensive line coach. He coached the Oakland Raiders in 2002 and 2003, taking the team to the Super Bowl in his first year following an 11-5 regular season. Callahan was fired the next season after posting a 4-12 record, and he went on to coach the University of Nebraska from 2004 through 2007.

Schottenheimer, 35, has been the Jets offensive coordinator for the past three seasons, following a four-year stint as the quarterbacks coach for the San Diego Chargers. New York's offense averaged 332 yards per game this season, ranking 16th in the NFL.