Editor’s note: Amid recent buzz, four more names have been added to this list, bringing the total to 18.
In a seismic shift for the New York Giants, head coach Brian Daboll was fired on Monday, capping a tumultuous four-year tenure marked by playoff promise and persistent underperformance.
Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka steps up as interim head coach, tasked with steadying the ship through the season’s remainder and injecting fresh energy into a 2-8 squad desperate for momentum.
Meanwhile, general manager Joe Schoen remains firmly in place, trusted by ownership to spearhead the 2026 coaching search and orchestrate a franchise reboot.
As Big Blue eyes its next era, whispers of top targets — from NFL veterans to innovative minds — already swirl, promising a pivotal hire to unlock untapped potential.
Mike Kafka
If the Giants look to clean house from top to bottom after the season — something they’ve indicated they will not do — that means assistant head coach and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka is toast, too. However, Kafka has been a hot commodity over head coaching cycles and promises to be again despite the instability of the Giants. He is familiar with ownership, the players, and the building, and it would be the Giants’ easiest transition.
Bill Belichick
Bill Belichick has never been shy about his love for the Giants and his history with the franchise. It’s also been made abundantly clear that he desires a return, although it would require a North Carolina buy-back. The problem with Belichick is his desire to control. If general manager Joe Schoen isn’t tossed out with the bathwater as well, Belichick is unlikely to consider the Giants. Even if John Mara and Steve Tisch opt to fire Schoen at the end of the year, which they suggest they won’t, would they be willing to give Belichick the power he desires? That’s a tricky one.
Brian Flores
The Giants-Brian Flores situation is an ugly one, and it’s hard to imagine a scenario where things get patched up. He expected to be hired over Daboll in 2022, but that never came to fruition and was followed by a racial discrimination lawsuit that remains ongoing. Would he even answer if Mara called? It seems unlikely, but Flores will enter the offseason as a top head coaching candidate with a propensity for building dominant defenses, which the Giants desperately need. Still, the relationship seems too far gone.
Jon Gruden
A bold “nuclear option” with NFL head coaching experience, including a Super Bowl win. His offensive schemes could spark the Giants’ attack, despite past email controversies casting an ugly shadow. Recent reports indicate Gruden is gearing up for a coaching return, with whispers of SEC interest that could pivot back to the NFL if a high-profile gig like New York’s materializes.
Mike McCarthy
Proven winner with multiple playoff runs and a Super Bowl title. As a retread hire, he’d bring stability and offensive expertise without the baggage of past Giants flops. Having parted ways with the Cowboys following the 2024 season, McCarthy has chosen to sit out the 2025 season to prime himself for top 2026 opportunities, making him a ready-made fit for the Giants’ rebuild.
Lincoln Riley
USC head coach renowned for developing elite quarterbacks like Caleb Williams. A wild-card college leap to the NFL, offering innovative schemes but zero pro experience — risky yet high-reward for quarterback Jaxson Dart. Amid ongoing rumors of bolting USC (potentially for Penn State), Riley has doubled down on his Trojan loyalty for at least 2026, though his quarterback whisperer rep keeps NFL doors ajar.
Matt Campbell
Iowa State head coach who’s drawn heavy NFL interest for his program-building prowess. His disciplined, fundamentals-first approach could foster a long-term culture without the turnover of recent Giants regimes. Campbell’s steady hand has landed him on speculative Giants shortlists, even as Iowa State’s 2025 campaign hits mid-pack strides.
Kliff Kingsbury
Commanders’ offensive coordinator with a prior Cardinals head coaching stint. Air Raid guru who could unlock a dynamic passing game, blending experience with modern creativity to fix the Giants’ stagnant offense. Kingsbury’s wizardry with dual-threat QBs like Jayden Daniels has vaulted him to the forefront of 2026 candidate rankings, perfectly suiting a Giants squad eyeing aerial upgrades.
Todd Monken
Ravens’ offensive coordinator behind Lamar Jackson’s MVP-caliber play. His balanced, explosive schemes have elevated Baltimore’s attack — ideal for injecting rhythm and scoring punch into New York’s unit. Monken’s blueprint for high-octane offenses has sparked head coaching buzz, including potential NFL and college pursuits, amplifying his appeal for Big Blue’s revival.
Matt Nagy
Chiefs’ offensive coordinator with a solid but underwhelming Bears head coaching tenure. Architect of dynamic offenses that boosted young quarterbacks; his play-calling could mentor a Giants signal-caller while leveraging KC’s winning blueprint. Newly floated as a top pick for the Titans’ vacancy after Brian Callahan’s ouster, Nagy’s steady rise in Kansas City signals he’s primed for another NFL helm.
Robert Saleh
49ers defensive coordinator after a rocky Jets head coaching run. Elite defensive mind who built San Francisco’s past shutdown unit — perfect for bolstering the Giants’ front seven, with familiarity from East Coast roots. Saleh’s seamless reintegration into the 49ers’ staff has reignited his head coaching stock, with direct ties to New York fueling Giants speculation.
Jeff Hafley
Packers defensive coordinator and New Jersey native (Montvale). Fresh off a Boston College head coaching tenure, his aggressive schemes and local ties make him a seamless, energetic fit to overhaul the Giants’ defense. Hafley’s transformative impact on Green Bay’s defense in 2025 has insiders dubbing him the league’s breakout coaching prospect, ripe for a quick promotion.
Klint Kubiak
Seahawks offensive coordinator and son of Super Bowl-winning coach Gary Kubiak, bringing a sharp offensive mind honed under elite play-callers. At just 38, his zone-blocking schemes and QB development could modernize the Giants’ run game and elevate Jaxson Dart in a post-Daboll era. Kubiak’s rapid ascent has placed him squarely on the Giants’ radar as a fresh, pedigree-backed option for 2026.
Lane Kiffin
Ole Miss head coach with prior NFL stints, including a Raiders head coaching role, known for his spread offense and quarterback grooming. His SEC success and media savvy could inject flair and firepower into New York’s attack, though his college loyalty adds intrigue to any pro pursuit. Fresh rumors, fueled by Jaxson Dart ties, have Kiffin as a trendy Giants target despite his public denials of NFL interest.
Steve Spagnuolo
Chiefs defensive coordinator and mastermind behind Kansas City’s fearsome defenses, with deep Giants roots as their Super Bowl XLII-winning coordinator. A homecoming hire at 65, he’d leverage intimate franchise knowledge to instill championship habits and fortify Big Blue’s defense. Former Giants running back Rashad Jennings recently championed Spagnuolo as an ideal head coach, thrusting him into the spotlight amid the fallout from Daboll’s firing.
Antonio Pierce
Former Raiders head coach and Giants Super Bowl hero as a linebacker, embodying the grit and leadership that defined New York’s glory days. His motivational edge and defensive expertise could unify a divided roster, drawing on player-era bonds for instant buy-in. Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr highlights Pierce as a leading Giants contender, praising his interim turnaround in Las Vegas and enduring team affinity.
Davis Webb
Broncos quarterbacks coach and ex-Giants draft pick turned rising assistant, offering a fresh, insider perspective from his brief pro playing days in blue. At 30, his rapid climb under Sean Payton signals untapped potential to innovate the offense and bridge player-coach gaps. Webb’s youth and ties position him for a groundbreaking shot as the league’s youngest head coach ever — something many long expected.
Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame’s head coach is engineering playoff contention with adaptive schemes and elite recruiting, a true outside-the-box leap from college dominance. Unproven in the pros but brimming with modern tactics, he could infuse the Giants with disciplined energy and long-term vision. Labeled a surprise NFL candidate in recent buzz, Freeman’s ascent keeps him viable for audacious hires like New York’s amid SEC whispers.
