The N.Y. Giants need a coach, and former star RB Brandon Jacobs believes he's got the guy who will return the G-men to their Super Bowl-winning ways -- Antonio Pierce !

TMZ Sports talked to the former Giants running back, as the team begins its hunt to replace Brian Daboll ... after their eighth loss of the season on Sunday.

Jacobs says his former teammate, Pierce, with whom he won Super Bowl XLII, is the ideal choice for the high-pressure gig, believing AP's grit and toughness are exactly what the Giants need. Getty

Pierce, of course, has some head coaching experience ... he was the HC for the Las Vegas Raiders.

"In my opinion, I think the Giants have to bring people in that was part of that dominating era," Jacobs told us.

"I think Antonio Pierce will be a great

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