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Why did the Giants fire HC Brian Daboll? New York holds 2-8 record
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- Why did the Giants fire HC Brian Daboll? New York holds 2-8 record
The New York Giants will have a new head coach for the fifth time since 2016.
Why did the Giants fire Brian Daboll ?
New York fired its head coach Nov. 10, after a 2-8 start to the 2025 season. Offensive coordinator and former assistant head coach Mike Kafka will serve as the Giants ' interim head coach for the final eight weeks of the season.
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Daboll, who won the 2022 NFL Coach of the Year award for leading the Giants to the playoffs in his first season, didn't make it through a fourth season with New York. He was the Giants' first head coach since three-time Super Bowl champion Tom Coughlin to make it through more than two seasons, but he did not get much further.
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Ultimately, the Giants' 2-8 record was more a reflection of poor coaching from Daboll than the efforts of the players on the field.
Here's why the Giants fired Daboll after three and a half seasons:
Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll was fired as the New York Giants head coach after starting the 2025 NFL season 2-8.
Scroll through to see pictures from Daboll's coaching career in the NFL.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts to an offensive pass interference call negating a Giants touchdown during the second half against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Nov. 3, 2024.
New York Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll watches from the sidelines during the Jets' 48-29 loss to the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2008.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll congratulates center Alex Mack after the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland on Dec. 27, 2009.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll appears with running back Reggie Bush on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 24, 2011.
(Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll stands on the sideline in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland on Dec. 9, 2012.
(David Richard, USA TODAY Sports)
New England Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll reacts on the sideline during Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix on Feb. 1, 2015. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24.
(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Brian Daboll speaks during media day at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Jan. 6, 2018.
(Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks to offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on the sidelines during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll talks with quarterback Josh Allen during training camp on Aug. 15, 2018.
(Jamie Germano, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll greets running back Frank Gore before taking on the Jets on Dec. 29, 2019.
(Jamie Germano, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll appears prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Oct. 31, 2021.
(Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports)
Brian Daboll speaks to members of the media in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after being introduced as the new head coach of the New York Giants on Jan. 31, 2022.
(Kevin R. Wexler, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY Network)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Kadarius Toney during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on July 28, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Rich Schultz, Getty Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll receives a Gatorade bath from linebacker Oshane Ximines after a win against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sept. 11, 2022. The win gave Daboll a 1-0 start to his NFL head coaching career.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll celebrates with quarterback Daniel Jones after a win against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sept. 11, 2022. The win gave Daboll a 1-0 start to his NFL head coaching career.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants hugs Baker Mayfield of the Carolina Panthers after the NFL game at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The win made the Giants 2-0 for the first time in six seasons.
(Rich Schultz, Getty Images)
New York Giants team owner John Mara talks with head coach Brian Daboll prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 26, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York's 23-16 loss was Daboll's first as an NFL head coach.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll argues a call with the referees in the second half of the NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. The Giants won, 24-20.
(Danielle Parhizkaran, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY Network)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll embrace after the NFC wild-card game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Jan 15, 2023. It was the Giants' first playoff victory since winning Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.
(Matt Krohn, USA TODAY Sports)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll takes the field prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. The Eagles ended the Giants' season with a 38–7 win.
(Tim Nwachukwu, Getty Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll poses for a photo after receiving the award for AP Coach of the Year during the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall in Phoenix on Feb. 9, 2023.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 10, 2023.
(Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports)
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants looks on with head coach Brian Daboll during the second half of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Sarah Stier, Getty Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll argues with a referee during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sept. 21, 2023.
(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll congratulates Malik Nabers after his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland.
(Nic Antaya, Getty Images)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones talks with head coach Brian Daboll, during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle on Oct. 6, 2024.
(Joe Nicholson, Imagn Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and quarterback Tommy DeVito walk off the field following their 30-7 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 24, 2024. DeVito replaced Daniel Jones as starting quarterback after Daboll benched Jones.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll hugs wide receiver Malik Nabers after losing to the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks to quarterback Drew Lock on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on Dec 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 22, 2024.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
New York Giants team owner John Mara, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll pose with first-round picks Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter prior to the start of the press conference to introduce the Giants' first-round draft picks on April 25, 2025.
(Thomas Salus, Imagn Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is shown during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 21, 2025. The Giants' 22-9 loss would make New York 0-3 in Daboll's third year as head coach.
(Kevin R. Wexler, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and quarterback Russell Wilson look on during the NFL preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 16, 2025. Wilson would start the first three games of the Giants' season before being benched for rookie Jaxson Dart.
(Ishika Samant, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll was fired as the New York Giants head coach after starting the 2025 NFL season 2-8.
Scroll through to see pictures from Daboll's coaching career in the NFL.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts to an offensive pass interference call negating a Giants touchdown during the second half against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Nov. 3, 2024.
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll was fired as the New York Giants head coach after starting the 2025 NFL season 2-8.
Scroll through to see pictures from Daboll's coaching career in the NFL.
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts to an offensive pass interference call negating a Giants touchdown during the second half against the Washington Commanders at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Nov. 3, 2024.
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Jets quarterbacks coach Brian Daboll watches from the sidelines during the Jets' 48-29 loss to the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on Sept. 22, 2008.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Brian Daboll congratulates center Alex Mack after the NFL game against the Oakland Raiders at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland on Dec. 27, 2009.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Brian Daboll appears with running back Reggie Bush on the sidelines during the NFL game against the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Nov. 24, 2011.
(Matthew Emmons, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Brian Daboll stands on the sideline in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland on Dec. 9, 2012.
(David Richard, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New England Patriots tight ends coach Brian Daboll reacts on the sideline during Super Bowl XLIX against the Seattle Seahawks at University of Phoenix Stadium in Phoenix on Feb. 1, 2015. The Patriots defeated the Seahawks 28-24.
(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Alabama Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Brian Daboll speaks during media day at Philips Arena in Atlanta on Jan. 6, 2018.
(Brett Davis, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Tua Tagovailoa speaks to offensive coordinator Brian Daboll on the sidelines during the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs in the CFP National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 8, 2018, in Atlanta.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll talks with quarterback Josh Allen during training camp on Aug. 15, 2018.
(Jamie Germano, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll greets running back Frank Gore before taking on the Jets on Dec. 29, 2019.
(Jamie Germano, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll appears prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, on Oct. 31, 2021.
(Rich Barnes, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Brian Daboll speaks to members of the media in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after being introduced as the new head coach of the New York Giants on Jan. 31, 2022.
(Kevin R. Wexler, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY Network)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks with quarterback Daniel Jones and wide receiver Kadarius Toney during training camp at Quest Diagnostics Training Center on July 28, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Rich Schultz, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll receives a Gatorade bath from linebacker Oshane Ximines after a win against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sept. 11, 2022. The win gave Daboll a 1-0 start to his NFL head coaching career.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll celebrates with quarterback Daniel Jones after a win against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sept. 11, 2022. The win gave Daboll a 1-0 start to his NFL head coaching career.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Head coach Brian Daboll of the New York Giants hugs Baker Mayfield of the Carolina Panthers after the NFL game at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 18, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The win made the Giants 2-0 for the first time in six seasons.
(Rich Schultz, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants team owner John Mara talks with head coach Brian Daboll prior to the game against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium on Sept. 26, 2022, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. New York's 23-16 loss was Daboll's first as an NFL head coach.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll argues a call with the referees in the second half of the NFL game against the Baltimore Ravens at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2022. The Giants won, 24-20.
(Danielle Parhizkaran, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY Network)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell and New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll embrace after the NFC wild-card game at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis on Jan 15, 2023. It was the Giants' first playoff victory since winning Super Bowl XLVI in 2012.
(Matt Krohn, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll takes the field prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional Playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. The Eagles ended the Giants' season with a 38–7 win.
(Tim Nwachukwu, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll poses for a photo after receiving the award for AP Coach of the Year during the NFL Honors award show at Symphony Hall in Phoenix on Feb. 9, 2023.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll looks on during the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Sept. 10, 2023.
(Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants looks on with head coach Brian Daboll during the second half of a preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 18, 2023, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Sarah Stier, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll argues with a referee during the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sept. 21, 2023.
(Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll congratulates Malik Nabers after his touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the second quarter at Cleveland Browns Stadium on Sept. 22, 2024, in Cleveland.
(Nic Antaya, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones talks with head coach Brian Daboll, during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field in Seattle on Oct. 6, 2024.
(Joe Nicholson, Imagn Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and quarterback Tommy DeVito walk off the field following their 30-7 loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 24, 2024. DeVito replaced Daniel Jones as starting quarterback after Daboll benched Jones.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll hugs wide receiver Malik Nabers after losing to the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Elsa, Getty Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll talks to quarterback Drew Lock on the sidelines during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium on Dec 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
(Brad Penner, Imagn Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reacts on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons in the third quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Dec. 22, 2024.
(Brett Davis, Imagn Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants team owner John Mara, general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll pose with first-round picks Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter prior to the start of the press conference to introduce the Giants' first-round draft picks on April 25, 2025.
(Thomas Salus, Imagn Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is shown during the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sept. 21, 2025. The Giants' 22-9 loss would make New York 0-3 in Daboll's third year as head coach.
(Kevin R. Wexler, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images)
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Former NFL Coach of the Year Brian Daboll fired as New York Giants coach
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and quarterback Russell Wilson look on during the NFL preseason game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Aug. 16, 2025. Wilson would start the first three games of the Giants' season before being benched for rookie Jaxson Dart.
(Ishika Samant, Getty Images)
BRIAN DABOLL FIRED: New York Giants fire head coach after dropping to 2-8 on season
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Why did the Giants fire Brian Daboll?
The most obvious reason New York parted ways with their head coach is the team's failure to win games under Daboll in recent years.
Entering the 2025 season, Daboll and the Giants were coming off of back-to-back losing seasons. Big Blue's 9-25 record across 2023 and 2024 was equivalent to a .265 winning percentage, a worse mark than previous Giants head coach Joe Judge in his two seasons as head coach in 2020 and 2021 (.303).
Despite principal team owner John Mara saying he had "just about run out of patience" after the Giants' 3-14 season in 2024, Daboll – and general manager Joe Schoen – both retained their jobs for 2025.
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Halfway into this year's regular season, the Giants have compiled a 5-22 record since the start of 2024, "good" for a .185 win percentage. That is the second-worst performance of any team since the start of last year besides the Tennessee Titans , who have had one fewer win in one fewer game (a 4-22 record).
The Titans fired head coach Brian Callahan earlier this season.
GIANTS COACHING CANDIDATES: Mike McCarthy headlines list of replacement options
Blown leads spelled the end for Daboll's tenure
A key factor in the Giants' poor record this season has been their tendency to blow late-game leads.
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New York is winless (0-6) on the road in 2025. The Giants held double-digit leads at some point in four of those six losses. Two of those losses – in Denver Week 7 and in Chicago Week 10 – included double-digit leads with less than four minutes remaining.
According to SNY's Connor Hughes, "The feeling internally, I'm told, is that the Giants believe the talent is better than the results have shown – evident by four loses despite holding 10-point leads."
