As first reported by NFL insider Adam Schefter, the New York Giants have fired head coach Brian Daboll after their week 10 loss at the hands of the Chicago Bears. Daboll has led the Giants to a 2-8 record this season and is out after three and a half years in New York.
Daboll was in his fourth season with the Giants, and had led them to the playoffs in his first season when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings in the first round before falling to the Philadelphia Eagles. In the three seasons after that, Daboll managed to accumulate a record of just 11-33.
According to Ian Rapaport and Mike Garafolo, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will take over as interim head coach.
Kafka will become the sixth head coach of the Giants since 2016, after Tom Coughlin managed the 11 previous years and won two Super Bowls for the franchise.
This was Daboll’s first head coach role in the NFL, after he spent the four previous seasons as the Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator.
Daboll Evaded Question About Job Security After Loss
After the Giants 24-20 loss to the Chicago Bears, Daboll was asked about his job security, so which he simply replied, “I’m just focused on these guys in the locker room.”
“I’m just focused on these guys in the locker room.”
Whether Daboll had any idea his job may have been at risk, he didn’t show an sign of knowledge following the loss.
New York had shown promise at times this season in their first year with Jaxson Dart at quarterback along with other exciting young players like running back Cam Skattebo and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Both suffered season-ending injuries though, which didn’t make Daboll’s job any easier.
Dart also exited Sunday’s game against Chicago with an apparent concussion.
Daboll certainly has the resume to find another head coach job in the NFL, though another failure could certainly see his career as an HC come to a halt.
Mike Kafka in as Interim HC Following Daboll Firing
The Giants will turn to offensive coordinator Mike Kafka as their head coach for the remainder of the season. The 38-year-old came to New York the same year as Daboll and was his OC for the entirety of Daboll’s tenure. He was promoted to assistant head coach for the 2024 season.
Before his time in New York, Kafka worked under Any Reid in Kansas City as the Chiefs quarterbacks coach. That was his only other NFL coaching role.
Kafka played one NFL season back in 2011 with the Philadelphia Eagles as a backup quarterback where he dressed for just four games. He was 11-for-16 passing in his career.
New York Giants Fire Head Coach Brian Daboll