NFL · 1 hour ago

Ranking The Top 10 Potential NY Giants Head Coaching Candidates

Patrick Kelleher

Host · Writer

10) Bill Belichick: North Carolina Head Coach
It would almost feel sacrilegious to make a list of Giants head coaching candidates that does not include Bill Belichick. Bill spent 11 years in East Rutherford as the defensive coordinator before going to several different spots and eventually settling in as the Patriots' head coach for 24 seasons. Belichick is in the middle of his first season as the head coach at North Carolina, but it is pretty safe to say that if John Mara came calling, he would accept the Giants' job in a heartbeat.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1) Klint Kubiak: Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has fully unlocked this offense in Seattle. Kubiak has taken on several coordinator roles over the past few seasons, but has yet to gain much traction as a head coaching candidate. Fast forward to now, and Kubiak will be one of the hottest candidates on the market this offseason. He has helped elevate Sam Darnold's play even more than last season in Minnesota, and he has fully unlocked Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a top WR in this league. Klint is also the son of former Super Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak, which only emphasizes Klint's knowledge of what it takes to lead a winning program. The Kyle Shanahan resemblance is undeniable, and as it stands, there is no better candidate to take Jaxson Dart and this offense to another level.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.
2) Jeff Hafley: Packers Defensive Coordinator
Jeff Hafley has prior head coaching experience, just not at the NFL level. Hafley was the head coach at Boston College for four seasons before taking over as the Packers' defensive coordinator in 2024. Hafley may not have experience running an NFL team, but his stock as a leader continues to rise with every press conference he attends. It also helps that the Packers' defense has been among the best units in the league this season. Hafley will be sure to get several offers to take over a team this offseason, and the Giants would be hard-pressed to find many better candidates as it currently stands.
3) Mike McCarthy: Former Packers & Cowboys Head Coach
When the Giants decided to cut ties with Brian Daboll, a popular opinion amongst the fanbase and media was that New York's next hire needs to be a coach with experience and not another first-time coordinator. This is part of the reason why Mike McCarthy is the early betting favorite to land the job. The good news for John Mara is that if he wanted to go the experience route, McCarthy is an ideal candidate. Serving as the Packers' head coach from 2006-2018, then coaching the Cowboys from 2020-2-24, McCarthy has put together quite the winning resume, including a victory in Super Bowl 45 and a winning percentage over 60. If the Giants want a true program builder that wins consistently, McCarthy could be the man for the job.
4) Aubrey Pleasant: Rams Assistant Head Coach & Defensive Passing Game Coordinator
This may be one of the more under-the-radar names in this upcoming coaching circuit, but Aubrey Pleasant has now served as Sean McVay's defensive passing game coordinator for the past three seasons and assistant head coach for the past two. McVay has described him as a natural leader who is "more than qualified to lead a team." Pleasant's name may not be so under-the-radar by the time the head coaching interviews across the league start to pick up.
5) Jon Gruden: Former Buccaneers & Raiders Head Coach
Perhaps the most notable and controversial name on this list is Jon Gruden. The former Super Bowl-winning head coach has not denied any desire to return to coaching since his exit in Vegas and his recent employment with Barstool Sports. Before this past year's draft, during Gruden's annual rookie QB camp, several clips from his interview with Giants' QB Jaxson Dart went viral. Gruden has been very outspoken in his love and support for Dart. Who knows where he stands with commissioner Roger Goodell, but if given the green light, it would be a disservice for the Giants not to give him a serious look.
6) Jesse Minter: Chargers Defensive Coordinator
Jesse Minter is one of the more popular coordinator names circulating in the head coaching market. After spending much of his early coaching career in college, Minter landed the Chargers' defensive coordinator job, which he was brought in to fill by Jim Harbaugh after Minter helped anchor the Michigan defense to a National Title. The Chargers' defense has looked like a force since he has been brought on, and could be poised to take a head coaching job this offseason.
7) Marcus Freeman: Notre Dame Head Coach
One of the more unorthodox names on this list, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman has quickly established himself as a program builder. Freeman is in the middle of his fourth season as the head man of the Fighting Irish, coming off a National Championship appearance last season in which they lost to Ohio State. He might not have NFL experience, but Freeman cannot be denied as a culture changer and leader of men, which is precisely what this Giants team needs.
8) Steve Spagnuolo: Chiefs Defensive Coordinator
Giants fans will always have a soft spot for Steve Spagnuolo, and rightfully so. Spags has spent two different stints as the Giants' defensive coordinator. In his first stint, he orchestrated the defense that shut down Tom Brady and the undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl 42. He has gone on to win three more Super Bowls as the Chiefs' defensive coordinator. Is he content as a HOF coordinator, or does he want one more chance at a head coaching job? The Giants will likely give him a look at season's end.
9) Kliff Kingsbury: Commanders Offensive Coordinator
Kliff Kingsbury is another name on this list with prior head-coaching experience. Kingsbury posted a 22-37-1 record in his four seasons as the Cardinals' head coach, including one postseason appearance. Despite the Commanders' struggles due to injuries this season, Kingsbury has helped Jayden Daniels develop tremendously and led them to an NFC Championship berth last season. Kingsbury will get several interviews this offseason.
10) Bill Belichick: North Carolina Head Coach
It would almost feel sacrilegious to make a list of Giants head coaching candidates that does not include Bill Belichick. Bill spent 11 years in East Rutherford as the defensive coordinator before going to several different spots and eventually settling in as the Patriots' head coach for 24 seasons. Belichick is in the middle of his first season as the head coach at North Carolina, but it is pretty safe to say that if John Mara came calling, he would accept the Giants' job in a heartbeat.

Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
1) Klint Kubiak: Seahawks Offensive Coordinator
Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak has fully unlocked this offense in Seattle. Kubiak has taken on several coordinator roles over the past few seasons, but has yet to gain much traction as a head coaching candidate. Fast forward to now, and Kubiak will be one of the hottest candidates on the market this offseason. He has helped elevate Sam Darnold's play even more than last season in Minnesota, and he has fully unlocked Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a top WR in this league. Klint is also the son of former Super Bowl-winning head coach Gary Kubiak, which only emphasizes Klint's knowledge of what it takes to lead a winning program. The Kyle Shanahan resemblance is undeniable, and as it stands, there is no better candidate to take Jaxson Dart and this offense to another level.

Have all the intel you need? Free, actionable information is just one click away! Sign up for our daily newsletter, SportsGrid Daily.

Ranking The Top 10 Potential NY Giants Head Coaching Candidates

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos