The New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll on Monday after a 20-40-1 tenure, signaling a new direction for the franchise. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka will serve as interim head coach while the search for a permanent replacement begins.
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New York Giants General Manager Joe Schoen speaks at a press conference during day one of the New York Giants training camp at Quest Diagnostics Giants Training Center in East Rutherford on Wednesday, July 23, 2025.
“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,” president John Mara and chairman Steve Tischsaid in a joint statement.
Brian Daboll has been relieved of his duties; Mike Kafka will serve as interim head coach.
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— New York Giants (@Giants) November 10, 2025
General manager Joe Schoen remains in place, tasked with selecting the next leader of the team. Ownership expressed confidence in Schoen despite past inconsistencies, leaving analysts and fans debating whether this approach could repeat historical missteps.
Schoen’sroster decisions have drawn scrutiny, particularly following the 2022 playoff season. He extended quarterback Daniel Jones and franchise-tagged running back Saquon Barkley, only to let Barkley leave in free agency without compensation.
Draft selections from 2022 and 2023 were uneven, with eight of 18 picks no longer in the NFL by 2025. First-round pick Evan Neal has yet to play this season while the offensive line continues to struggle, emphasizing persistent roster challenges.
The next head coach’s success will depend on Schoen’s decisions. Internal sources report confidence in his leadership, but history shows that repeated GM-led hires can create instability.
Analysts note that the franchise must strike a balance between continuity and the need for fresh coaching direction to break the cycle of short-lived tenures.
Giants History Warns Repeat Mistakes Loom as Joe Schoen Holds the Power
Past Giants decisions suggest caution when retaining the GM while changing coaches. In 2015, Tom Coughlin was dismissed while Jerry Reese stayed as GM, hiring Ben McAdoo, whose team collapsed after an 11-5 season.
Similarly, Dave Gettleman oversaw the hiring of Pat Shurmur and Joe Judge, both of whom failed to produce consistent winning results. These patterns suggest that granting repeated control over head coach selection has rarely led to long-term success for the franchise.
As the team enters this transitional phase, Schoen’s next moves will define whether the Giants break from past cycles or continue familiar patterns of underperformance.
Ownership’s confidence in him suggests a desire for stability, but the historical context leaves room for skepticism.