On Monday, one day after the New York Giants suffered a late-game collapse in their loss to the Chicago Bears — marking yet another disappointing defeat this season — the team announced the dismissal of head coach Brian Daboll.
The move came midway through Daboll’s fourth season with the organization, which has shown no meaningful progress under his leadership. Sunday’s collapse proved to be the decisive factor.
In his place, the Giants will have offensive coordinator Mike Kafka serve as interim head coach.
Kafka joined the Giants in 2022 alongside Daboll, initially serving as offensive coordinator. In 2024, he assumed the additional role of assistant head coach.
Before arriving in New York, Kafka spent five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, progressing from offensive quality control coach to quarterbacks coach, and later adding passing game coordinator to his responsibilities while retaining the quarterbacks role.
Former Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, who worked closely with Kafka, has spoken highly of his former protégé.
“He’d do a great job as a head coach,” Reid said. “He’s good with people, and he’s smart. He’d be good with the ownership and good with players, too. Still be able to relate to the players. And you know, he’s young enough to where it wasn’t that long ago that he was playing.”
With several games remaining in the season, Kafka faces a formidable challenge in steadying the team. Time will tell whether he can provide the spark needed for a turnaround.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Mike Kafka will serve as New York Giants’ interim head coach
Reporting by Serena Burks, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
