Following Black Monday, the NFL is left with six head coaching vacancies. Among those dismissed are Raheem Morris (Falcons), Kevin Stefanski (Browns), Jonathan Gannon (Cardinals), Pete Carroll (Raiders), Brian Callahan (Titans), and Brian Daboll (Giants).
We’ll focus on the Giants, who let go of Brian Daboll in November. His record stood at 20-40-1, with an unfortunate 11-33 over his last couple of seasons. It wasn’t great. Mike Kafka, the assistant head coach, took over as interim coach and completed the season.
The organization kept general manager Joe Schon, appreciating his approach to player personnel, but weren’t satisfied with Daboll’s management of those players. They do have a solid defensive line, especially with Malik Nabors returning from injury, and rookie quarterback Jackson Dart alongside running back Cam Skatebo is showing promise this season.
Brian Flores (Vikings defensive coordinator)
Utilizing their defensive strengths, the Giants could benefit from hiring Flores. His ability to execute defensive strategies and apply pressure on quarterbacks is impressive in today’s league. Last season, despite fielding a rookie quarterback, they managed to score an average of 22.4 points per game, which is decent. Still, the defense often failed to rise to the occasion.
With a roster featuring numerous talented defenders, Flores is well-equipped to take the helm, especially given his experience with head coaches like Vance Joseph and Steve Spagnuolo. It would also be great to see him secure a strong offensive coordinator.
Kevin Stefanski (former Browns head coach)
Stefanski’s name will certainly come up in discussions around the league. His time in Cleveland spanned six years, but it didn’t pan out as expected. Still, he stands as one of the more effective coaches in the franchise’s recent history. He hails from the Mike Shanahan/Gary Kubiak coaching lineage, which still carries weight in the NFL.
For the Giants, this could be a prime opportunity, given the talent they possess. Playing in a losing environment brings its own set of challenges. The QB Jackson Dart still needs to prove himself. However, being in a significant market like New York means if Stefanski turns things around, he’d solidify his place in NFL lore. He seems to be a top contender for the position.
Mike McCarthy (former Cowboys/Packers HC)
McCarthy might not be the ideal candidate if the team seeks innovative energy, yet his record speaks volumes. With 185 wins, 123 losses, and two ties—plus an 11-11 playoff record that includes a Super Bowl victory with the Packers—his experience is hard to overlook. His respective records are 125-77-2 with the Packers and 49-35 with the Cowboys.
He’s a reliable winner, but lacks that fresh approach. Hiring him might feel, well, predictable. But honestly, there aren’t many standout options available this time around. Personally, I’d prefer someone with room to grow.
Clint Kubiak (Seahawks Offensive Coordinator)
Kubiak might not be a household name, but he has some impressive credentials now. Under his coordination, the Seahawks transformed into one of the league’s most efficient passing teams, thanks in part to QB Sam Darnold. He’s shown that he can be a capable quarterback, but needs effective coaching to navigate challenges. Kubiak seems to fit that role quite well.
Dart does have potential, but, without the right guidance, it may be tricky for him to succeed. If the Giants are serious about supporting him, then Kubiak could be an excellent choice.
Lou Anarumo (Colts defensive coordinator)
Anarumo has established connections with GM Joe Schon and previously interviewed for Daboll’s position. They collaborated in Miami, where Anarumo was a defensive backs coach for the Giants. He’s known for his adaptable defensive strategies that can hinder rival quarterbacks. While this season has seen some improvements to the Colts’ defense, injuries have limited the overall performance.
