New York Giants Fire Head Coach Brian Daboll Amid Disappointing Season; Mike Kafka Steps In

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – November 12, 2025 – The New York Giants have officially parted ways with head coach Brian Daboll, effective Monday, November 10, 2025, according to an announcement published on Giants.com. Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka has been appointed interim head coach as the franchise grapples with a tumultuous and underperforming season. The abrupt leadership change signals a significant strategic pivot for the storied NFL team struggling to find consistent success.

The decision to relieve Daboll of his duties comes less than three seasons into his tenure, a period that saw an initial surge of optimism quickly dissipate. Daboll, who took over in January 2022, led the Giants to an unexpected playoff berth in his inaugural season, securing a 9-7-1 record and a wild-card victory over the Minnesota Vikings before falling to the Philadelphia Eagles. That success earned him the NFL Coach of the Year award, setting high expectations for subsequent seasons.

A Swift Decline Following Initial Promise

However, the momentum from the 2022 campaign proved fleeting. The 2023 season saw the Giants finish with a disappointing 6-11 record, plagued by injuries to key players, particularly quarterback Daniel Jones, and inconsistent offensive production. The struggles have intensified in the current 2025 season, with the team holding a dismal record that places them near the bottom of their division and conference. This consistent downturn ultimately led to the organization's decision to make a coaching change.

Giants ownership and general manager Joe Schoen, who hired Daboll, are reportedly seeking a fresh direction to revitalize the team. The move reflects the high-stakes environment of professional football, where even a Coach of the Year accolade offers little long-term job security in the face of sustained underperformance.

Mike Kafka Steps into Interim Role

Stepping into the interim head coach position is Mike Kafka, who has served as the Giants' offensive coordinator since Daboll's arrival. Kafka, a former NFL quarterback, was a key architect of the Giants' surprisingly efficient offense in 2022, which managed to maximize the talent available. His promotion offers a sense of continuity, particularly on the offensive side of the ball, as the team attempts to salvage the remainder of its schedule.

Kafka’s immediate challenge will be to stabilize a team that has shown significant struggles in all phases of the game. The offense, despite his role as coordinator, has frequently sputtered this season, often struggling to find rhythm and consistently convert scoring opportunities. His leadership will be tested as he attempts to instill renewed confidence and a winning mentality in a locker room undoubtedly impacted by the coaching change.

Performance and Outlook

The Giants' offensive woes have been a central theme of their struggles, marked by a high number of turnovers, an inability to protect the quarterback consistently, and a lack of explosive plays. Injuries have certainly played a role, sidelining star players at critical junctures, but the overall execution has fallen short of expectations. The defense, while showing flashes of brilliance, has also struggled with consistency, particularly against the run.

With Kafka now at the helm, the focus will shift to how the team responds in the remaining games. This period will not only serve as an audition for Kafka but also as an evaluation period for many players under new leadership. The organization will likely begin a comprehensive search for a permanent head coach and potentially a new general manager once the season concludes, aiming to chart a new course for the franchise's future. The expectation is a thorough overhaul, driven by the desire to return the Giants to competitive relevance in the NFC East.