Mike Kafka Remains with Giants; Two Defensive Coordinator Candidates Hired

 Posted by
Feb 012024
 
Mike Kafka, New York Giants (October 7, 2022)

Mike Kafka – © USA TODAY Sports

MIKE KAFKA REMAINS WITH GIANTS…
ESPN is reporting that Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka will remain with the New York Giants for at least another season. Kafka had interviewed twice with the Seattle Seahawks for their head-coaching vacancy, but the team hired Baltimore Ravens Defensive Coordinator Mike Macdonald instead. The Tennessee Titans also interviewed Kafka, but they hired Cincinnati Offensive Coordinator Brian Callahan as their new head coach.

The 36-year old Kafka joined the Giants in 2022 after servicing as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs. He also drew interest for head coaching vacancies last offseason with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers, and Arizona Cardinals.

TWO DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR CANDIDATES HIRED…
Two of the candidates the New York Giants had been considering for defensive coordinator have been retained or hired by other teams. The Buffalo Bills promoted Linebackers Coach Bobby Babich to their defensive coordinator position. In addition, the Tennessee Titans have hired Baltimore Ravens Defensive Backs Coach Dennard Wilson as their new defensive coordinator.

As previously reported, the other publicly-known defensive coordinator candidates the Giants have expressed interest in include:

  • Tennessee Titans Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen
  • Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator Derrick Ansley
  • Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero (interview request denied)
  • Miami Dolphins Linebackers Coach Anthony Campanile
  • Kansas City Chiefs Linebackers Coach Brendan Daly
  • New York Giants Defensive Backs Coach Jerome Henderson

New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Search Continues

 Posted by
Jan 282024
 
New York Giants Helmet (December 17, 2023)

© USA TODAY Sports

According to ESPN, the New York Giants have interviewed Kansas City Chiefs Linebackers Coach Brendan Daly for the team’s defensive coordinator vacancy. ESPN is also reporting that the Giants interviewed Baltimore Ravens Defensive Backs Coach Dennard Wilson for a second time on Saturday.

In recent years, the 48-year old Daly has served as defensive line coach of the New England Patriots (2015-2018), run game coordinator/defensive line coach of the Chiefs (2019-2021), and linebackers coach of the Chiefs (2022-present).

The 41-year old Wilson was with his first season with the Ravens in 2023. Before that, he was the defensive backs coach with the Rams (2015-2016), Jets (2017-2020), and Eagles (2021-2022).

As previously reported, the other publicly-known defensive coordinator candidates the Giants have expressed interest in include:

  • Tennessee Titans Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen
  • Los Angeles Chargers Defensive Coordinator Derrick Ansley
  • Miami Dolphins Linebackers Coach Anthony Campanile
  • Buffalo Bills Linebackers Coach Bobby Babich
  • New York Giants Defensive Backs Coach Jerome Henderson

Giants Interview Defensive Coordinators, Special Teams Blocked

 Posted by
Jan 122024
 
Shane Bowen, Tennessee Titans (May 23, 2023)

Shane Bowen – © USA TODAY Sports

GIANTS INTERVIEW DEFENSIVE COORDINATORS…
According to media reports, the New York Giants have interviewed Baltimore Ravens Defensive Backs Coach Dennard Wilson for their defensive coordinator vacancy. The Giants will also reportedly interview Tennessee Titans Defensive Coordinator Shane Bowen for the same position.

The 41-year old Wilson was with his first season with the Ravens in 2023. Before that, he was the defensive backs coach with the Rams (2015-2016), Jets (2017-2020), and Eagles (2021-2022).

The 37-year Bowen has been with the Titans for six seasons, first coaching outside linebackers (2018-2020) and then becoming the team’s defensive coordinator (2021-2023). He was a defensive assistant for the Texans in 2016-2017.

SPECIAL TEAMS COORDINATORS INTERVIEWS BLOCKED…
The New York Giants have now had requests to interview three special teams coordinators blocked, including Ryan Ficken (Los Angeles Chargers), Marquice Williams (Atlanta Falcons), and Chris Tabor (Carolina Panthers).

DEXTER LAWRENCE NAMED ALL-PRO…
New York Giants defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence has been named second-team All-Pro by The Associated Press. This is the second year in a row Lawrence has been so recognized. He finished the 2023 season with 53 tackles, seven tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, and two pass defenses.