The New York Giants head coaching search is underway, and they’ve already begun requesting interviews with prospective coaches.
One of the first ones up is Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
“The Giants have requested an interview with Colts DC Lou Anarumo for their head coaching vacancy, per source,” wrote Raanan in a post on X.
“Spent a season in NY as the DB coach. Also a Staten Island native. Was expected to be part of the mix.”
Anarumo has been rumored to be on the short list of names originally thought up by general manager Joe Schoen.
His past ties to both the Giants and Schoen could be a big help in Anarumo’s candidacy.
Lou Anarumo’s Giants Connection
With Schoen leading the head coaching search, the embattled general manager is likely looking for a guy he can trust and work in tandem with.
The New York Daily News’ Pat Leonard reported during the 2025 offseason that Schoen and previous head coach Brian Daboll’s relationship began getting rocky as the two started “working as separate entities” over the summer.
The situation devolved into “every man for himself” as the New York Giants’ on-field product worsened.
Schoen won that power struggle and will now look for an ally in his next head coach.
Enter, Anarumo.
Their relationship began in the 2010’s when the two worked concurrently for the Miami Dolphins.
Anarumo worked on the defensive staff, while Schoen cut his teeth in the front office.
Their shared relationship and experience could lead to a unified vision between the coach and front office, something the Giants may not have had over the last few seasons with Daboll.
Helping Anarumo’s case further is his previous work for Big Blue, when he served as the defensive backs coach in 2018.
He only coached in New York for one season before taking the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator job in 2019 under Zac Taylor.
A Long Island native, Anarumo taking the head coaching job would be a bit of a homecoming, and would certainly go a long way in showing commitment to improving the Giants’ bottom-of-the-league defense.
Lou Anarumo Has Long Been Linked to the Giants Job
As far back as when Daboll was first let go, Anarumo has been linked to the New York Giants head coaching job.
NFL insider Josina Anderson reported in late November that the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator would receive “strong consideration.”
“A league source says #Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is expected to receive strong consideration for the #Giants head coach vacancy this upcoming cycle, while also emphasizing his familiarity and relationship with current general manager Joe Schoen,” wrote Anderson in a post on X.
“It remains to be seen how much said connection will influence ownership, relative to Schoen’s status, once the search is complete.”
Even The Athletic’s Dan Duggan viewed him as a favorite for the head coaching gig at one point.
“I viewed Anarumo as the early favorite right after Daboll got fired. Don’t feel as strongly about that now, but could see him as a preferred candidate for Schoen,” wrote Duggan.
As of now, there is no leader in the clubhouse to land the gig; we’re just too early in the process.
But Anarumo is an experienced coach, and thanks to his ties to Schoen, should receive heavy consideration.
Giants Request HC Interview With Candidate Tied to Joe Schoen