The New York Giants officially fired head coach Brian Daboll on November 10, 2025, following a disastrous 2-8 start to the season. The move comes less than two years after Daboll was named NFL Coach of the Year for leading the Giants to a playoff berth in 2022.
Daboll’s firing reflects the organization’s growing frustration with regression on both sides of the ball. The Giants have struggled offensively, ranking near the bottom of the league in scoring, while the defense has failed to generate consistent stops. Sunday’s latest collapse sealed Daboll’s fate, marking another chapter in the franchise’s long history of in-season coaching changes.
Giants’ Midseason Firings: A Rare But Not Unprecedented Move
The firing of Brian Daboll makes him just the third coach in Giants history to be dismissed during the regular season. The franchise is known for its stability at the top, but when midseason changes have occurred, they’ve come during moments of deep organizational turmoil.
1. Bill Arnsparger (1976)
Arnsparger was fired after an 0-7 start in 1976. The Giants were struggling both on and off the field, and ownership decided to make a change midway through a disastrous campaign. His firing led to the brief appointment of interim coach John McVay, who later guided the team through the transition to Giants Stadium in 1976–77.
2. Ben McAdoo (2017)
Ben McAdoo’s dismissal came on December 4, 2017, after a 2-10 start to the season. The decision followed a string of poor performances and controversy surrounding the benching of franchise quarterback Eli Manning. McAdoo had led the team to an 11-5 record the year prior but lost the locker room as the 2017 season unraveled.
3. Brian Daboll (2025)
Now, Brian Daboll joins that short list. After earning widespread praise in 2022, Daboll’s Giants have since regressed due to injuries, offensive inconsistency, and questionable play-calling. The Giants’ latest loss dropped them to 2-8, prompting ownership to act before the bye week to begin evaluating potential replacements.
Why the Giants Made the Move Now
The timing of Daboll’s firing—midseason—suggests that team ownership wanted to jumpstart a rebuild rather than let another lost season linger. With the Giants likely out of playoff contention, the focus will now shift to developing young players and identifying future leadership for the team.
The organization’s decision also signals accountability. Giants co-owner John Mara and general manager Joe Schoen are under pressure to correct course after multiple losing seasons since their 2011 Super Bowl victory.
What’s Next for the Giants
An interim coach is expected to be named in the coming days as the Giants evaluate long-term candidates for 2026. Names already circulating include respected coordinators and college head coaches with offensive pedigrees.
The franchise faces a pivotal offseason—one that could redefine the next decade of Giants football. With questions surrounding the quarterback position, draft priorities, and front-office alignment, the post-Daboll era begins under intense scrutiny.
Final Thoughts
The firing of Brian Daboll marks another turning point for a proud franchise seeking to return to relevance. For the Giants, this is not just a coaching change—it’s an organizational reset. From Arnsparger to McAdoo to Daboll, history shows that when the Giants act midseason, it’s because patience has truly run out.