Who could replace Brian Daboll as head coach?

AI-assisted summary
• The New York Giants have fired head coach Brian Daboll following a tough loss.
• Despite the team’s struggles, rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart has shown promise for the future.
• Potential replacements include experienced coaches like Mike McCarthy and rising coordinators like Klint Kubiak.

There is now a giant-sized hole in the New York Giants coaching staff.

The team has decided to fire head coach Brian Daboll. It comes on the heels of another tough loss that saw the team blow a 10-point fourth quarter lead with under four minutes to go.

Daboll’s tenure got off to a great start as the Giants made the playoffs in his first season. Tasked with overseeing the development of Daniel Jones, the rest of the era didn’t experience see a lot of success. New York was one of the worst teams in the league, continuing a forgettable stretch in the history of the franchise.

Despite the losing, this season offered plenty of hope for the future.

The Giants handed the keys to Jaxson Dart and the rookie quarterback has flourished. Injuries to other emerging stars, Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers, hurt Big Blue offensively.

However, Daboll always appeared to be on borrowed time and his sideline outbursts became more frequent with each passing week.

Now the team is tasked with finding Daboll’s replacement – one they hope returns the Giants to an era of stability they haven’t experienced since Tom Coughlin.

Here’s a look at some candidates that could become the next Giants coach.

Giants head coach candidates

Mike McCarthy, former Cowboys and Packers HC

If the Giants want to go down the experience route, then McCarthy would be the frontrunner. New York is familiar with the former Dallas Cowboys coach and he would bring some stability to a franchise that continues to seek exactly that.

He might not be the most inspiring option or the youngest candidate, but McCarthy can certainly coach. He oversaw a great Cowboys offense and likely wouldn’t hinder Dart’s development.

Dallas owned a top-five scoring offense in three of his five seasons as head coach – finishing No. 1 in 2021 and 2023. McCarthy parted ways with the Cowboys after the 2024 season and he opted stay away from the sidelines in 2025. Dart could certainly benefit from someone like McCarthy, who has coached the likes of Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott since becoming a head coach.

Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks OC

If they want to go the coordinator route, Kubiak should be the first call. This coaching cycle isn’t loaded with Ben Johnson-types, but Kubiak has been putting on a clinic with the Seahawks.

Kubiak has made three separate stops as an offensive coordinator, spending 2024 with the Saints and 2021 Vikings. While those other stops didn’t yield great results, he has certainly delivered in Seattle. Kubiak is leading the third-best scoring offense in the league and doing it with a team that didn’t have great expectations in 2025.

Sam Darnold’s breakout proved to be no fluke, while Jaxon Smith-Njigba established himself as one of the league’s best receivers. The son of longtime NFL coach, Gary Kubiak, the Seahawks coordinator will likely land a head coaching gig sooner than later.

Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills OC

Is Daboll’s replacement the guy that ultimately got his job in Buffalo? It took a little bit for the Bills to find the right offensive coordinator after Daboll, but Brady has done an admirable job with the Buffalo offense. He already has a connection to general manager Joe Schoen, but it’s unclear if the Giants want to continue taking branches from the Bills’ tree.

The expectation is that Dart’s development will be a key factor in whoever lands the job. Brady has experience working with Drew Brees, Joe Burrow, Cam Newton, Sam Darnold and Josh Allen.

Lane Kiffin, Ole Miss HC

College coaches are always in the mix after an NFL firing and Kiffin makes plenty of sense. The Ole Miss head coach continues to be connected to the open job at the University of Florida, but could he head to the NFL ranks to reunite with his former quarterback?

While his stint with the then-Oakland Raiders didn’t inspire much confidence, there have been plenty of changes since 2007.

The NIL era of college football has moved the sport closer to the pros than ever before. While Kiffin could easily make a ton of money in college and enjoy plenty of job security, perhaps he wants another crack at the pros. It might seem unlikely, but he would no longer be viewed as the 32-year-old young coach that didn’t belong.

Jon Gruden, former Raiders and Buccaneers HC

Gruden has gotten back in the public eye and continues to seemingly campaign for another head coaching job. He ultimately resigned as the Raiders coach in 2021 following some offensive emails being made public. He’s a wild-card.

The former Raiders and Buccaneers head coach certainly appeared to enjoy his time with Dart before the 2025 NFL Draft. Gruden bonded with the rookie during his ‘Gruden QB class’ series before Dart landed with the Giants.

Whether the Giants would sign up for the potential backlash that might come with the hire remains to be seen. The coach also sued the NFL claiming the league deliberately leaked disparaging emails he wrote. Gruden is one of those candidates that will draw a reaction on both sides, but has his fair share of pros and cons on the field.

Jeff Hafley, Green Bay Packers DC

A New Jersey native, Hafley is rising in coaching circles as the Packers’ defensive coordinator. Hafley is well-traveled and finds himself at a disadvantage as a defensive-minded coach, however. He was the head coach at Boston College prior to taking the Packers job, which should boost his chances.

In terms of experience, Hafley has plenty and always has connections to the area. He might not be the offensive guru that most want, but those don’t always make the best head coaches. Hafley is deserving of a chance to lead his own team.

Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers DC

Minter is another defensive name that continues to make headlines. He came into the season with plenty of hype surrounding his candidacy and has certainly backed it up. The Chargers have battled plenty of injuries, but Minter’s defense is coming off a statement game against Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers on ‘Sunday Night Football.’

The Chargers’ defensive coordinator followed Jim Harbaugh to the NFL from Michigan – where he held the same title. Minter fits the profile as a young coach that has plenty of experience at the college and NFL level.