The 2025 NFL season for the Giants is over and finding a head coach to bring this franchise back to respectability is the priority.
It has been a over a decade of disappointment and incompetence and if the New York Giants continue to take the easy way out and hire “family friends” you can expect more of the same.
- McAdoo: Giants OC that wasn’t ready to be a head coach & didn’t have the respect of the room.
- Shurmur: A very good OC and the “adult” in the room, just couldn’t put it all together at once.
- Judge: Belichick approved but not ready to be a HC. He tried too hard to be Bill & lost the team.
- Daboll: All the makings of a good HC, got lost trying to be the OC. Wouldn’t fire Bowen & Kafka.
Yes, the right candidate will have instant access to power and fame in New York, but will this individual understand the history, the legacy and mighty fan base that comes with the prestige of being the Head Coach of the New York Giants. This coach has to want to win in New York, bring back Giants pride and handle the stage. This job is very unique. While the Giants are at the bottom, this franchise does have the pieces to be relevant quickly. The right coach who believes in teaching can make that happen.
#6 Jaxson Dart
Current Pieces: QB, RB, LT, OLB, WR, DT, S
Draft Needs: WR2, MLB, CB, DT, Guard
Must Sign: RT(Eluemenor), Wan Dale(WR2/3)
Coaching Candidates:
Jeff Hafley: A New Jersey Native. Played WR in college(Siena). Has been a Defensive coach since 2002. Coached Defense for Rutgers & Ohio State. NFL Defensive Back coach with Bucs, Browns & 49ers from 2012 to 2018. Boston College Head Coach from 2020 to 2023. Packers DC from 2024-2025. In 2024 his Defense was 7th(vs the pass) & 13th(against the run). In 2025 his Defense was 7th(vs the pass) and 13th(vs the Run). Hafley is ready, will command respect from the players and should be a top 3 candidate.
A very good candidate.
Mike McCarthy: Packers and Cowboys Head Coach. Does McCarthy warrant a 3rd opportunity? He brings stability, but I would love to know what Rodgers and Dak think. I don’t find McCarthy a hungry, lets grind, bring the New York Giants back to the “top of the food chain” type of leader. Can McCarthy bring a star studded group of young coordinators that teach, that have a proven track record, because that is what is needed. A true shock to the system and demand accountability.
His time has passed.
Lou Anarumo: Anarumo is a nice coach. But to be bold…this candidate does not excite the fan base and certainly will not excite the players. Lou has had some success but not enough to inspire change and at this moment the New York Giants…need change.
Not the right fit.
Chris Shula: The 40 year old grandson of Don Shula has been with the Rams for 9 years. That is a long time for an NFL coach to be at one team. He has also worked his way from Assistant LB Coach to Outside LB Coach, Pass Game Coordinator to Defensive Back Coach to Pass Rush Coordinator to Defensive Coordinator. He knows every inch of this defensive structure and he runs a top 12 unit over the last two years. He has no head coach experience and New York could be a tall order. There will be a learning curve so he will need a veteran OC or DC.
A very good candidate.
Kliff Kingsbury: The former Head Coach of the Arizona Cardinals and current OC for Washington, might be available from reports coming from Washington. The rumors are that Commanders are considering moving on from Kingsbury because of his lack of ability to pivot in game or evolve the offense. Kingsbury’s offensive strategy couldn’t compete against the rest of the league. Entering Week 18, Washington ranks 25th in passing touchdowns (18), 24th in passing yards (3,198), and 20th in total touchdowns (38).
Not the right fit.
Antonio Pierce: This Giants legend was hired as the Interim Head Coach of the Raiders in 2023 when Josh McDaniels was fired. He became the Head Coach of the Raiders in 2024. He was let go after a 9-17 record. Pierce was known for his preparation and film work. This attitude toward aggressive defensive would bring a much needed toughness back to the Giants. He should also be considered for the Defensive Coordinator role if the Giants go in a different direction.
A good candidate for DC.
Mike Kafka: Mike Kafka has not had much success as the Giants OC or Interim Head Coach. After watching Jones, Taylor, Lock and Wilson struggle to score points after 6 years, Mike Kafka does not seem like the fit. He lacks feeling for the game and when had an opportunity for the team to thrive under his leadership, he locked down the little creativity the Giants had. He did promote Charlie Bullen to DC after firing Shane Bowen, which helped Abdul Carter find some late season success.
Not the right fit. Never has been.
Kevin Stefanski: Recently let go by the Browns, this 2x AP Coach of the Year is high on the Giants, Titans and Falcons lists for Head Coach candidates. In 2017, the Giants were denied an interview to bring Stefanski on as thier Offensive Coordinator. Stefanski has had an up and down career in Cleveland making the playoffs two of six years. Stafanski was a defensive star at UPenn, but made his success on the offensive side of the ball in the NFL with the Vikings and Browns. His experience is invaluable, but the lack of consistent success may be a concern.
Not terrible, but must question the years of losing.
Klint Kubiak: Kubiak is only 38 years old and will be interview by the Titans and the Falcons coming up shortly. Son of NFL long time head coach, Gary Kubiak, Kliff was a standout defensive player at CSU. He has coached with the Bronco’s, Vikings, 49ers, Saints and Seattle and made a nice impact along the way. He has only two years experience at the Coordinator position and might not be ready to step into the New York spotlight to run the Giants. The Giants are going to need a gutsy, disciplined leader.
Not Ready Yet.
Steve Spagnuolo: Giants fans will always have a special place for Spags. He might go down as one of the best Defensive Coordinators of all time. Between the Giants and Chiefs he has won four Super Bowls. As the Head Coach for the Rams…he was only given three years. A return to New York/New Jersey would not be terrible and I am sure he has learned a lot from Andy Reid, yet I think he remains on the outside looking in now that Harbaugh has entered the picture.
Could be a Wild Card.
John Harbaugh: Harbaugh has parted ways with the Ravens after 18 years. Harbaugh is a fierce and fiery competitor who thought his talented roster should be performing better. The friction between Jackson and Harbaugh made this decision the right move for both parties and even more right for the New York Giants. Harbaugh knows how to win and would bring discipline to a team in need of higher goals. While Harbaugh needs to win another Super Bowl to match Tom Coughlin…Harbaugh to the Giants would bring that level of focus and structure. An “A” list of coaches would follow as Coordinators. Harbaughs Ravens went to the Playoffs 12 out of 18 years.
Harbaugh is the answer. Hire him.