New York Giants fire coach Brian Daboll and name Mike Kafka his interim replacement
The New York Giants have dismissed head coach Brian Daboll midway through his fourth season after the team’s record fell to 2-8 following a road loss to the Chicago Bears.
According to two individuals familiar with the decision, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has been appointed interim head coach. Kafka, a former quarterback at Northwestern and St. Rita, takes over while general manager Joe Schoen and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen continue in their roles.
The move came just one day after the Giants surrendered a late lead and lost 24-20 to the Bears. The franchise has now suffered four consecutive defeats since its surprising prime-time win over the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles earlier in the season.
“This is just the Giants’ third midseason coaching change since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger and their first since 2017, when Ben McAdoo and general manager Jerry Reese were dismissed after a 2-10 start.”
Daboll, who recorded a 20-40-1 mark as head coach, guided New York to the playoffs in his debut season and earned Coach of the Year honors. However, the team has since declined, posting an 11-33 record over the last two and a half seasons. His .336 winning percentage ranks 154th among 166 NFL coaches who have managed at least 50 games since 1970.
Author’s Summary
The New York Giants parted ways with Brian Daboll after a 2-8 start, appointing Mike Kafka as interim coach amid one of their rare midseason leadership changes in decades.