Hello Big Blue. You may have seen me discussing this in multiple discussion threads here the last few days, so I figured I would make a lengthy post about it. I have gone down the rabbit-hole quite a bit on potential HC and GM candidates this upcoming offseason, and I wanted to run some candidates by everyone to familiarize ourselves and see what everyone thinks. Let me know if you would also be interested in a GM post. That being said, let's get underway!

First things first: In my mind, all bets are off if either John Harbaugh or Mike Tomlin gets canned. They are not without their flaws, but those are the exact kind of experienced leaders that you want with your team. That being said, let's start for real.

Former Head Coaches

Here I will begin with some guys who have had the head job before. I truly do think that these may be the guys we look at the strongest, and that could be the best move. Of course, they all have been fired for a reason lol.

Mike McCarthy – former Cowboys and Packers HC

Of course everyone knows McCarthy. We interviewed him in the past. Sure, heads may roll, but his resume is certainly good, and he might be the "Tom Thibodeau" type hire that we need.

Kliff Kingsbury – Commanders OC

He's had his ups and downs, mainly as seasons go on. I do believe though, that he is a bright offensive mind and the type of guy that would mesh well in Dart and this young core. I also have a sense he has learned from his mistakes in Arizona while learning from a season coach in Dan Quinn.

Kevin Stefanski – Browns HC

Currently the Browns HC, it's looking like Stefanski's days may be numbered. Tbh though, I think he had done a great job in Cleveland, maximizing a lot of the potential there. I mean, it's a losing job, and he has given them the most success they've seen in ages. A change of scenery could be what he needs. He also had some success in Minnesota with Pat Shurmur (yikes).

Mike McDaniel – Dolphins HC

Not going to say too much here. I still think he is a good offensive mind. He had a pretty bad team these past two years. Could be worth a look, but may ultimately be a better OC.

Steve Spagnuolo – Chiefs DC

I know he's older and people may not want a guy with ties to the team, but he's legit one of the best defensive minds in the league. Loved by players and the organization, and they seem to love him. Call me crazy, ik his HC tenure was a bust, but I think he should be considered.

Robert Saleh – 49ers DC

Didn't do a terrible job with the Jets. He's familiar with the market and still seems to be a good coordinator. Also had good things to say about Dart. Maybe a consideration.

Offensive Minded Options

Getting into some first-time HC options, these are in no particular order. An offensive-minded HC could always be a good option, and it's essential to help Dart out. Look at what Ben Johnson has done in Chicago.

Joe Brady – Bills OC

I know another Bills guy may turn people away, but Brady has been loved by his players and has arguably done a better job than Daboll in Buffalo. Also a big part in success for the Saints and LSU. Sure to be one of the most frequently mentioned names around the league this offseason.

Klint Kubiak – Seahawks OC

Kubiak's name is heating up for good reason. He has done a spectacular job in Seattle with Darnold and that young core, and was also very productive for a bad Saints team. One of my top choices and feels like a matter of time before he becomes a HC.

Mike Lafleur – Rams OC

Just a really big fan of the Rams organization. One of the best run teams and the McVay tree is filled with bright minds. Lafleur is of course related to Packers HC Matt.

Aubrey Pleasant – Rams Passing Game Coordinator

See above. Pleasant also has knowledge on the defensive side of things, overseeing the Rams passing game through both lenses. McVay let him coach preseason games twice as well.

Adam Stenavich – Packers OC

Another really successful organization. Stenavich has been around the league for some time now, and even was in Michigan shortly. While not the playcaller, he has put together some really successful offenses in GB and helped to develop a talented young group.

Defensive Minded Options

Seeing as Dart has developed ahead of schedule, I think the door may be a little more open for a defensive HC, as long as he hires a good OC. Some good options here as well.

Jesse Minter – Chargers DC

A hot name in coaching circles. Jesse Minter has led a very successful Chargers defense and Michigan defense before that. He has learned from both the Harbaugh brothers and is a bright, young mind that is sure to be a HC some day soon.

Jeff Hafley – Packers DC

Another Packers coordinator. Hafley is over-qualified for the DC spot in GB, having been HC at Boston College previously, and finding success there as well. GB has had a talented defense the past 2 years, and Hafley deserves a lot of credit.

Lou Anarumo – Colts DC

Anarumo may not be a name that jumps to mind, but I think he deserves a mention. Did a lot of good in Cincinnati (who's defense has certainly got worse since he's left) and is part of a very successful Colts team this season. Defense has plagued us for years, and maybe this can finally be the move to solidify things, especially given all the talent we have.

Chris Shula – Rams DC

Comes from a family of football. Shula has helped to rebuild this Rams defense post-Aaron Donald and seems to be a highly respected name around the league

Wild Card Mention

Lane Kiffin – Ole Miss HC

I don't think that this will happen, and I don't think it's a particularly good idea, but I DO think it deserves a mention. Probably the only college HC that we could consider, and I actually could see him taking the job. Still very unlikely imo.

Before you say anything: No Jon Gruden is not happening. Neither is Bill Belichick or Brian Flores.

So yeah! That's my list. Let me know what you all think and if there's any other names I should be aware of. Apologies for the lengthy post, I'm desperate over here lol. Go Big Blue!

41 comments

  4. Don’t slander my nigga Tommy Thibs by comparing him to Mike fuckin McCarthy, come on man…

    I think Kingsbury is the best overall bet here, plus we take him from a divisional rival, that’s a Win-Win for us

    Kubiak is a real interesting choice, but great OCs don’t always make competent HCs, just look at Josh McDaniels

    I think Kingsbury is the best balance of modern OC and competent HC, outta our available options

    Super young relative to NFL coaching age, he can be here for all of Dart’s career

  6. Kubiak and Lefleur are my top choices. I want a bright offensive mind as HC, so that Dart doesn’t have much coordinator turnover. Fun fact, I know a guy who’s college friends with Matt Lefleur. He says the whole family is awesome people.

  7. Great list. When you lay them out like this, it’s easy to see there are a lot of interesting options. I strongly lean towards an offensive minded coach, I think our defense will be fine once Bowen gets replaced. Kubiak, Lafleur, or Stefanski would get me most excited

  11. I honestly wouldn’t mind Robert Saleh. Say what you want about his exit with the Jets but he had that defense playing hard for him every snap.

    Plus we have the quarterback that covers the offensive problems that plagued his tenure. Even than dude went 7-10 with Zach fucking Wilson. We’d be ecstatic with a 7 win season at this point.

  12. John Harbough is the dream hire, I think. We need someone who can make the Giants respectable immediately. We have the talent to be .500 and compete with most teams and that would be my expectation next year.

  14. Big NO to Mike McCarthy. There’s a reason he isn’t in Green Bay or Dallas. Can’t win big games. Plays not to lose rather than playing to win and fails on big moments. That was his legacy here in Wisconsin and with the Cowboys.

  15. I’m tired of “offensive” or “defensive” minded coaches. I’d rather have a leader of men that has a solid plan to bring in a DC and OC. HC needs to understand how to manage a team, a game, and the media. Find me that person.

  16. I’m for a defensive minded head coach to really give direction to that defense which is strength of our team. We need an experienced GM who has the knowledge and the courage to say no to the Nepotism hire advices which is ruining this team. Whoever we hire can’t be a yes man to the top. Dart is good enough to have a creative OC to utilize his skillsets so that’s the reason I want a Defensive minded head coach.

  17. First timers: Lafleur or Klint

    Run it back: Saleh (only if he can get McDaniel to run offense)

    Won’t cry about it but: McCarthy

    No: Spags, McDaniel, Kliff, Brady, Minter, Lane

    Awesome list and breakdown!

  18. Saleh with a proven OC would be my pick, though kubiak intrigues me… and I have a soft spot for spags, though that’s more likely to end in disaster with his head coaching track record

  19. My wish list is somebody who knows how to manage a whole team. I can’t stomach someone who has no answers for one side of the ball.

  26. This is an awesome, informative post! Thanks for bringing in some great discussion!

    Love that there are some local guys on the list.

  27. What reputable HC candidate wants to work for that sniveling, arrogant, know-it-all, incompetent weasel Joe Schoen?

  28. I thought there were no reasonable options until I saw this list. Some good options, but one I would stay away from is McCarthy. I agree with no Gruden, Belichick and Flores. Heck I think Flores still has a lawsuit pending against the Giants. He would straighten some players out though.

    There are some that should just be coordinators. Such as McDaniels.

  29. Kingsbury and McDaniel have the book smarts to be great OC’s but lack the requisite personalities to be HC’s. Spagnuolo and Saleh have the personalities but just weren’t good at the X’s and O’s of being in charge. Suppose the latter two would be the best bet but it would still be a bet that they learned from their mistakes. That said I think the only move is to get a McCarthy type warts and all. We just need competent coaching not another attempt with an up and coming coordinator. Don’t have a huge problem with Stefanski but Cleveland does have a stench.

  30. Right now, I just want to be respectable. I want to watch meaningful football past the halfway mark of the season. Assuming no current head coach works out to be an option, I know McCarthy wouldn’t “wow” anyone but I think he’s more likely to make us respectable faster than an unproven assistant. A young unproven OC probably has a higher ceiling but I’d guess they’d also have a lower floor. I don’t think I can make it through another lost season.

    If we could get an established coach (Ravens, Steelers, Browns, Bengals all potentially may move on), I’d prefer any of those to McCarthy.

  31. Kevin Stefanski and Mike McDaniel as OC I like. Not ad a head coach. I’m really high on both theses guys as a OC, especially if we go a defensive HC.

    Joe Brady I like. He’s a better coach than Daboll but do we double dip a Bill again?

    Mike Lafleur – Rams OC. Rams produce great coaches. If they get him, let him bring Aubrey Pleasant, Rams Passing Game Coordinator with him as OC.

    As far as DC, look to the Broncos for a coach.

  33. Definitely not Mike Tomlin. I don’t trust him with our young QB. The running game and offensive line for the Steelers has needed to be fixed for as long as I can remember and I have a bad feeling that the same systemic woes for the Giants will continue under him. The next HC needs to be an offensive guy. I personally like McCarthy given his experience as a HC and he can be a floor raiser (like you said, our version of Thibs)

  34. I would really prefer an offensive coach for the sake of Dart. Top candidates for me are Klint Kubiak, Joe Brady, and Kevin Stefanski if he becomes available. Aubrey Pleasant is very intriguing as well.

  35. Due to Mara’s stated hesitancy about hiring a first timer in Daboll back in 2022, doubt if he goes with an inexperienced guy. Stefanski might work here.

  36. Some HORRIFYING names there. Mcarthy, Kingsbury, Spags, Saleh, and McDaniel being the main culprits.

  37. I wouldn’t mind Saleh at all. Jets had horrible defense before he got the job and they improved immediately and it was one of the best units in the league during his time. Offense didn’t work in the end, bad luck with Rodgers first year and so on. Happens. Jets is definitely one of the toughest jobs in the league because owner and his minions are so dumb. Two times 7-10 with Jets is pretty strong. He is young and experienced, and i also believe that people can learn a lot from their first HC job. He would have a quarterback from the start.

  39. The Mara and Tisch family should offer equity and hire a CEO that knows how to win. Then let that guy make the decision on future HC and GM. That’s what’s best for the Giants. The nepo sons don’t have a winning bone in their body.

  40. I would litterally do unspeakable thingsto John Mara if he hired Kevin Stafaniski as HC. Dude is a certified bum

  41. Wild card: Bill Belichick gets the wins record with giants (hopefully within 2 years) but sets the ton moving forward.

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