The New York Giants have fired head coach Brian Daboll following Sunday’s loss to the Chicago Bears, resulting in the team’s fourth straight loss.
The team released a statement confirming Daboll’s firing and announced that offensive coordinator Mike Kafka would serve as interim coach.
He added that Joe Schon will remain in his post as general manager and will lead the search for a new head coach.
The Giants led the Bears by 10 points in Week 10, but lost 24-20, dropping the team to 2-8 and looking set to lose for the third straight year under Daboll.
He compiled a 20-40-1 regular season record during his three-and-a-half seasons with the Giants.
“We discussed the direction of our franchise this morning on the field and determined that it is in our best interest to make a change to the head coaching position at this time,” Chairman John Mara and Chairman Steve Tisch said in a joint statement.
“The past few seasons have been nothing short of disappointing, and we have not lived up to expectations for this series. We understand our fans’ frustrations and are committed to delivering a vastly improved product.”
“We would like to thank Coach Daboll for his contributions to our organization and wish the Daboll family the best of luck in the future.”
Daboll led New York to the playoffs, just one spot behind the stellar 2022 seasons of quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley. This is the first time the team has advanced to the playoffs since 2016.
He then led the Giants to their first postseason victory since the team defeated the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, but was ultimately halted by a 38-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
His outstanding maiden season resulted in a 9-7-1 record and he was named Coach of the Year.
Sunday was the second notable lead the Giants took this season, as they took a 19-0 lead against the Denver Broncos, then led 26-8 before losing 33-32 in Week 7.
Daboll’s winning percentage of .336 ranks 154th out of 166 managers with at least 50 games since 1970.
A new start in New York
Sky Sports NFL’s Cam Hogwood…
Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schon entered the 2025 season firmly in the NFL’s hot seat after a dismal 3-14 finish in 2024. Sunday’s ugly loss to the Bears gave the impression of an inevitable conclusion.
“The Giants turned to Daboll in 2022, believing he could spark a resurgence for a team, especially an offensive line that had been limping along with worthlessness and mediocrity for the better part of a decade. They had witnessed the key role he played in Josh Allen’s transformation in Buffalo, and sought to pair him with Daniel Jones for a similar outcome as a quarterback struggling to meet the standards expected of the No. 6 overall draft pick.
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Highlights of the Week 7 game between the New York Giants and Denver Broncos of the 2025 season.
“That never quite materialized, at least not in the long run. That said, the failure to fix an ever-deteriorating offensive line will also be a deciding factor.
“Signs of life quickly showed in his debut season with Jones having a career year left. Daboll inspired increased ball security from a turnover-prone play-caller and unleashed a threat on the ground to the tune of 708 rushing yards. Certainly, the presence of world-class players like Saquon Barkley helped in a significant way.”
“A season-ending injury for Jones in 2023 ultimately derailed his progress in New York, and the former Duke man was never the same from there. Jones had signed a four-year, $160 million contract before the season, before the Giants’ investment in the divisive quarterback came back to bite general manager Shane, who later allowed Barkley to join the Eagles in free agency.”
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Highlights of the game between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants from Week 6 of the 2025 NFL season.
“By mid-November of the 2024 season, Jones was benched for poor play, but his release request was granted a few days later and he was back to square one, temporarily joining Daboll and Shane of the Minnesota Vikings with the Giants.
“Jones has since led the Indianapolis Colts to an 8-2 start in one of the NFL’s great comeback stories and a mirror of Daboll’s offense in New York. And while rookie quarterback Jackson Dart has brought much-needed vitality and sparkle to a team that had long lacked both, the results-driven landscape, including the aforementioned blown lead, signaled it was time for a change.
“But some may argue that Shane should have just walked out the door. Time will tell.”
