The New York Giants’ search for a new head coach will kick into high gear once the season ends on Sunday. ESPN has released an initial list of candidates expected to be interviewed, or at least considered,
by the Giants.
Let’s review the list.
Expected to be interviewed
Former head coaches: Mike McCarthy, Antonio Pierce, Vance Joseph, Mike Kafka
We have not talked much about Pierce. He went 4-13 with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, a season that perhaps does not look as damning the way the 2-14 Raiders have played under Pete Carroll. He is a culture-setter with obvious Giants ties, so that makes sense.
Joseph went 11-21 as head coach of the Denver Broncos in 2017 and 2018. He is, though, a fantastic defensive coach many believe deserving of a second opportunity to be a head coach. If Joseph could bring highly-regarded Davis Webb, quarterbacks coach in Denver, as his offensive coordinator that might be an attractive pairing.
Kafka deserves an interview after his work since taking over for Brian Daboll. McCarthy we have discussed.
The coordinators: Chris Shula, Jesse Minter, Lou Anarumo, Jeff Hafley
Anarumo has deep ties to Schoen, as well as to the Giants and the New York/New Jersey area. Hafley, Shula, and Minter are expected to be highly sought after during this hiring cycle. Do Hafley’s ties to the region mean anything?
Others with a chance
Outside chance: Matt Burke, Klint Kubiak, Kliff Kingsbury, Ejiro Evero
Kubiak has some fans in the fan base because of his work as offensive coordinator with the Seattle Seahawks. Burke, defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans, has a connection to Schoen.
Young guns: Josh McCown (46, Vikings QB coach), Grant Udinski (29, Jaguars offensive coordinator)
I am a bit surprised that Webb, because of his connections to Schoen and the Giants and his work in Denver with Bo Nix, is not on this list.
Wild cards: Current head coaches
We have to wait and see what happens after Sunday to see if any of the group of Kevin Stefanski, Mike Tomlin, John Harbaugh, or even Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals is in need of a job.
Not on the list
Steve Spagnuolo — I would love to see Spags get an interview, but I understand why it looks like he won’t. His tenure with the Rams was disastrous, and perhaps his time to get a second opportunity has passed.
Robert Saleh — There are fans who want to see Saleh included. Considering how badly things went for him with the New York Jets, I don’t understand the attraction.
