The New York Giants have released head coach Brian Daboll, a native of Welland, Ont., midway through his fourth season after the team’s record dropped to 2-8 following a loss to Chicago. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been appointed as the interim head coach. The decision to remove Daboll came after the Giants surrendered another late lead, resulting in a 24-20 defeat against the Bears.
In a statement, team owners John Mara and Steve Tisch expressed disappointment in the recent seasons’ performance and stated that a change in leadership was necessary at this time. General manager Joe Schoen will spearhead the search for the new head coach while the rest of Daboll’s coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, will remain in their positions.
The Giants have experienced a four-game losing streak since their victory over the Philadelphia Eagles last month. This marks only the third midseason coaching change for the Giants in the past 95 years, the most recent being in 2017 when Ben McAdoo and GM Jerry Reese were relieved of their duties.
Daboll’s coaching record with the Giants stands at 20-40-1. Although he led the team to the playoffs in his first season and earned Coach of the Year honors, the team’s performance has declined with an 11-33 record since then. His winning percentage of .336 ranks him 154th out of 166 coaches with over 50 games post the 1970 AFL-NFL merger. Daboll is the second coach to be dismissed this season, following Brian Callahan’s firing by the Tennessee Titans.
Mike Kafka, the interim head coach, steps into the role amid ongoing uncertainties in a challenging season for the Giants, including injuries to key players like Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, and Malik Nabers. Schoen, the Giants’ GM, received a vote of confidence from Mara and Tisch for his role in building a talented young roster. Despite the recent lackluster results, the team’s management is optimistic about the future and aims to meet the expectations of their fans.
Daboll, who previously served as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator, expressed understanding of the decision and his commitment to improving the team’s performance. Despite the setback, Daboll’s extensive coaching experience makes him a valuable asset in the NFL, with potential opportunities in the upcoming season. Bills head coach Sean McDermott praised Daboll’s coaching abilities and ruled out an immediate return to Buffalo for him.
