Former Northwestern QB Named New York Giants Interim Head Coach

Ryan Cole

Nov 10, 2025, 18:29

Ryan Cole

Nov 10, 2025, 18:29

Updated at: Nov 10, 2025, 18:29

The New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll this morning.

Major news hit the NFL world this morning when the New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll after a crushing loss to the Chicago Bears this weekend. This was Daboll's fourth season at the helm, and the Giants now sit at 2-8 despite the emergence of rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

For the time being, former standout Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka will take over the reigns as New York's interim head coach. Kafka played four seasons in Evanston from 2006-2009, and he later returned as a graduate assistant in 2016, launching his coaching career.

His senior season was his best by far. After nailing down the starting job, Kafka passed for a Big Ten leading 3,430 yards. He also led the conference in completion percentage and passing yards per game. On the ground, the signal caller tacked on 295 rushing yards.

Kafka had a bit of a turnover issue -- he threw 12 picks that season to 16 touchdowns -- but he was a gun slinger who took some chances to make big plays. He also led the 'Cats to an 8-5 season that year despite the interceptions.

After his college career, Kafka was selected in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Eagles. He played in four games during the 2011 season for Philly, but that would be his only professional action. Kafka continued to bounce around practice squads and training camp rosters, but he never got another opportunity on the field.

Kafka hung up his cleats after the 2015 season and immediately began coaching. After one year with Northwestern, he went to the NFL and became an offensive quality control coach for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2017.

With that organization, he worked his way up to quarterbacks coach, working with Patrick Mahomes from 2020-2021, when he was poached by the Giants to be their new offensive coordinator.

Kafka has held that title for the entirety of the Daboll era, and he was promoted to assistant head coach as well in 2024. Now, with Daboll out of the fold, he'll get an opportunity to run the show.

Interim head coaches rarely get the full-time job, but Kafka is becoming one at an interesting time. There aren't a ton of obvious head coaching candidates in next year's cycle.

Bills' OC Joe Brady is likely the top name on the market, but he could always elect to stick with Josh Allen and try to win a Super Bowl. Kliff Kingsbury, of the Commanders, is another offensive coordinator who many thought would get a job, but Washington has taken a big step back this season.

If Kafka can get Dart and the team to rally around him and win some games down the stretch, then maybe he has a shot. Recently, it hasn't been his offense that's struggled. Defense and late-game execution has been the Giants' kryptonite.

If Kafka's relationship with Dart grows strong enough, he might have a chance to retain this role. At a minimum, it will be valuable experience, and it will get his name out there as a future head coaching candidate.

Former Northwestern QB Named New York Giants Interim Head Coach