The Dart Direction: Ranking the Top Coaches to Lead the Giants' New Era

The New York Giants have a huge task in front of them. Hiring the right head coach to pair with Jaxson Dart. Joe Schoen will remain with the Giants this offseason, per reports, so it will be his second time picking a head coach. With a number of names on the Giants radar, I narrowed down my Top choices for the Giants to hire this offseason.

There are two names I don't want the Giants to hire this offseason: Joe Brady or Robert Saleh. Both would likely feel like a lateral move or a repetition of past mistakes for a fanbase already exhausted by the Buffalo-to-East-Rutherford pipeline and the local failure of the Jets. Doubling down on another Bills offensive coordinator in Brady -- whose recent play-calling has drawn criticism for being stagnant even with Josh Allen -- risks repeating the same philosophical disconnect that led to Brian Daboll’s exit. Meanwhile, Saleh carries the heavy loser stigma from his 20–36 tenure at MetLife Stadium. For a team that must prioritize the development of rookie cornerstone Dart, bringing in a coach who historically struggled to field a competent offense feels like a recipe for another rebuild in three years.

7. Kliff Kingsbury (Commanders OC)

LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 26: USC Trojans senior offensive analyst Kliff Kingsbury looks on during a game between the San Jose State Spartans and the USC Trojans on August 26, 2023, at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Despite a disappointing finish to the season in Washington, Kingsbury remains a fascination for the Giants due to his history with dual-threat quarterbacks. His "Air Raid" concepts are viewed as a high-octane match for Jaxson Dart’s vertical arm and mobility, potentially providing the creative spark the offense has lacked. However, questions persist about his ability to adapt when defenses figure out his scheme, as well as whether his player-friendly coaching style can withstand the intense heat of the New York media market.

6. Jeff Hafley (Packers DC)

Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley looks on before an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer, File)

Hafley has emerged as a betting favorite due to his deep ties to the region -- he’s a North Jersey native -- and his status as an alumnus of Boston College, a school ownership historically admires. He has transformed the Packers' defense into an aggressive, turnover-focused unit that thrives on the "see ball, get ball" mentality. Because he has recent head coaching experience at the collegiate level, proponents argue he possesses the CEO qualities needed to oversee a full roster while leaving the offense to a specialized play-caller.

5. Chris Shula (Rams DC)

May 28, 2025; Woodland Hills, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula during organized team activities at Rams Practice Facility. (Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

As the grandson of the legendary Don Shula, Chris Shula carries a pedigree that commands immediate respect in NFL circles. He is currently one of the hottest names on the market after leading a disciplined and overachieving Rams defense under Sean McVay. Hiring Shula would represent a shift toward the "McVay coaching tree," which has a proven track record of producing successful young head coaches who prioritize modern analytics and flexible, week-to-week game planning.

4. Antonio Pierce (Former Raiders HC)

Image of Antonio Pierce. Credit: Charlie Riedel/AP/File

A Super Bowl champion with the Giants, Pierce is the ultimate culture candidate who understands the unique expectations of the organization. While his tenure in Las Vegas ended with a difficult 2024 season, his ability to command a locker room and inspire veteran players is undisputed. For a Giants team that has looked demoralized at times over the last two years, Pierce represents a blue-collar return to the franchise's identity, though he would need to hire a high-level offensive coordinator to ensure Dart’s development.

3. Mike McCarthy (Former Cowboys/Packers HC)

Former Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy has the shortest odds to be the Giants next head coach. / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Mike McCarthy is the most established winner on the list, offering the stability of a coach who has won a Super Bowl and consistently navigated the playoffs. He has already publicly praised Dart’s un-teachable natural traits, signaling a strong interest in molding the young quarterback much like he did with Aaron Rodgers and Dak Prescott. While his traditional offensive style and history with the rival Cowboys might be a tough pill for some fans to swallow, his 167 career wins make him the safest bet to provide an immediate turnaround.

2. Keven Stefanski (Former Browns HC)

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski paces the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans at Huntington Bank Field, Dec. 7, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio. | Jeff Lange / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Following his dismissal from the Cleveland Browns, Kevin Stefanski has immediately skyrocketed to the top of the Giants' coaching wish list. Despite a difficult 8-26 stretch over his final two seasons in Cleveland -- largely attributed to the disastrous Deshaun Watson contract and a revolving door at quarterback -- Stefanski remains a highly respected offensive strategist and a two-time NFL Coach of the Year (2020, 2023). Stefanski's proven ability to develop young signal-callers, making him a perfect mentor for Dart. With a modern offensive system rooted in heavy play-action and efficient run schemes, Stefanski is viewed as the adult in the room who can maximize the talent of weapons like Malik Nabers while providing the disciplined leadership the Mara family traditionally craves.

1. John Harbaugh (Former Ravens HC)

Dec 27, 2025; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh prior to the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The Ravens did the unthinkable Tuesday and fired John Harbaugh after 18 seasons as head coach. He jumps to the top of the Giants head coaching list. For the Giants, Harbaugh is a model of consistency. He is a CEO type of coach, something the Giants are looking to add. The Giants have lacked that kind of leadership since the Tom Coughlin era.

With the young nucleus of talent the Giants have, a coach that is a culture setter like Harbaugh would breed success. Harbaugh’s greatest recent achievement was successfully pivoting an entire franchise’s identity to maximize Lamar Jackson’s unique skillset, even though it did not end well with Jackson. The Giants draft position, compared to others, should also appeal Harbaugh. Whether the Giants draft a mobile threat or a traditional pocket passer, Harbaugh has shown he can hire the right coordinators to build a system around his talent rather than forcing players into a rigid scheme.

The only issue I foresee in pursuit for Harbaugh is Joe Schoen. The Giants might have to waiver on their commitment to Schoen if they want to land the Hall of Fame coach.