Three Potential Brian Daboll Replacements For Giants

The clock is ticking on New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll. Whether it’s Daboll’s fault or not, the 2022 AP NFL Coach of the Year is definitely on the hot seat in New York.

Unfortunately for Daboll, all of the ominous signs are showing up that usually precede an NFL head coach getting canned, a winless start (despite winnable games) and a desperate QB change among them.

Daboll is by all accounts a great dude, and New York’s front office didn’t do him any favors by failing to retain Saquon Barkley.

Nonetheless, Daboll’s exit from the Giants feels somewhat inevitable at this point. With that in mind, here are three guys New York could target to replace Daboll, if and when he gets fired. (These are candidates for the 2026 season; New York would presumably replace Daboll with an interim option if he were let go in the middle of the current season).

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame

Freeman is a rising star in the football coaching world, and he might be looking to capitalize on an NFL job before his stock — currently at an all-time high — drops. Still just 39, Freeman has presided over a successful era for the Fighting Irish, emphasizing physicality and player development. Freeman’s defensive background, including time spent as a coordinator at Cincinnati, makes him a good fit for a Giants franchise that has traditionally prided itself on that side of the ball. Freeman’s lack of NFL experience is the one thing that would make this hire a questionable one.

Kliff Kingsbury, Washington Commanders

Kingsbury represents a stark alternative to Freeman, as he’s an offensive-minded leader with multiple years of NFL head coaching experience. Currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the Commanders, Kingsbury’s innovative air-raid offense has shown promise in developing young quarterbacks, which could align well with the Giants’ need to develop talented rookie Jaxson Dart. Recent reports suggest the Giants might favor someone with NFL play-calling expertise to address their offensive woes, making Kingsbury a logical fit, although his mediocre 28-37-1 record at the helm of the Cardinals is something to think about.

Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings

Flores has proven beyond a shred of doubt that he’s one of the most talented defensive maestros in football, currently on display through his work as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. He definitely deserves another shot at head coaching after leading the Miami Dolphins to their first pair of consecutive winning seasons in nearly 20 years before getting fired over alleged disagreements with upper management.

Bill Belichick, North Carolina

Just kidding.