The basics:
- Giants dismiss Brian Daboll
- Mike Kafka named interim head coach
- Daboll went 20-40-1 in four seasons, 2022 NFL Coach of the Year
- GM Joe Schoen leads search for new head coach
Following another gut-wrenching loss Sunday, the New York Giants announced firing head coach Brian Daboll.
Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka will serve as the interim manager.
The Giants’ record sits at 2–8 now, after blowing another fourth quarter lead in excruciating fashion to lose to the Chicago Bears 24–20. In that game, star rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart had to leave early, suffering a concussion.
This season has seen several notable losses where the team blew late leads in ways that have bewildered fans.
Along with those lost opportunities, porous defense in critical stretches, injuries to key players (such as wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo) and more has marked the season. But there have been bright spots, as well, such as the drafting and development of Dart – who has looked every bit the part of a franchise quarterback since taking over as QB1 in Week 4 – along with a talented nucleus that also includes Nabers, Skattebo, linebacker Brian Burns, defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, linebacker Abdul Carter and others.
But with the frustrating losses mounting – and fans at their boiling point – ownership decided to make a change.
A new direction
“We spoke this morning about the direction of our franchise on the field, and we have decided that, at this time, it is in our best interest to make a change at the head coaching position,” said President John Mara and chairman Steve Tisch in a joint statement.
In his four seasons leading the Giants, Daboll compiled a record of 20-40-1. He nabbed the NFL Coach of the Year title in 2022, leading the Giants to nine wins and a playoff win (it’s first in 11 seasons). But things have gone south since then – and the losses continue to pile up.
“The past few seasons have been nothing short of disappointing, and we have not met our expectations for this franchise,” said Mara and Tisch. “We understand the frustrations of our fans, and we will work to deliver a significantly improved product.
“We appreciate Coach Daboll for his contributions to our organization. We wish the Daboll family all the best in the future.”
Search is on
Kafka joined the team in 2022 as offensive coordinator. He then added the title of assistant head coach in 2024. Prior to his time with the Giants, Kafka served as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs. Before that, he played six years in the NFL as a quarterback.
Ownership also announced that general manager Joe Schoen will remain in his position.
Schoen will lead the head coach search. He joined the organization at the same time Daboll did. The two came to the Giants together after a successful stint with the Buffalo Bills. With that team, Daboll served as offensive coordinator and Schoen director of player personnel.
“We feel like Joe has assembled a good young nucleus of talent, and we look forward to its development,” said Mara. “Unfortunately, the results over the past three years have not been what any of us want. We take full responsibility for those results and look forward to the kind of success our fans expect.”
“These are difficult decisions, and John and I do not take them lightly,” said Tisch. “but we feel like this is the right thing to do at this time and will allow us to move forward.”
