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Breaking down the six leading candidates linked with the New York Giants head coach job
With the New York Giants parting ways with Brian Daboll following a miserable 2-8 start to the 2025 season, the franchise now finds itself staring at a critical coaching decision.
According to Fox Sports reporter Jay Glazer, six NFL coaches are at the top of the shortlist: Mike McCarthy, Lou Anarumo, Matt Nagy, Arthur Smith, Steve Spagnuolo, and Chris Shula.
Each brings a distinct profile, and the right hire could define the future of quarterback Jaxson Dart and the Giants' rebuilding efforts.
Here, we analyse each candidate's strengths and weaknesses.
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Mike McCarthy
McCarthy, the former Packers and Cowboys head coach and Super Bowl XLV winner, is among the most established names on the list.
He won a Super Bowl with Green Bay and ran three straight playoff teams in Dallas.
His strengths lie in veteran leadership and quarterback development – he shepherded Aaron Rodgers early in his career and helped Dak Prescott reach productive seasons.
For the Giants, McCarthy could offer stability, structure, and a steady voice for Dart, avoiding a high-risk, high-reward swing.
On the downside, after guiding the Cowboys to three straight playoffs, his last few years in Dallas didn’t yield a postseason berth, and his more traditional offensive style might feel conservative for a team hoping to unleash Dart’s dynamic skill set.
Lou Anarumo
Anarumo is currently the defensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts, having previously held the same role with the Bengals.
A Staten Island native, Anarumo knows New York and boasts a long résumé working in the secondary and building disciplined multi-level defenses.
His appeal lies in his scheme flexibility and consistency. Hiring Anarumo could mean a defense-first approach, helping solidify a young roster while the offense matures. But his lack of head coaching experience poses a risk. He’s never called all the shots, and transitioning from coordinator to HC can be a difficult leap.
Still, if Big Blue wants to build around its young core, Anarumo offers credibility and defensive acumen.
Matt Nagy
Former Bears head coach and current Chiefs offensive coordinator Nagy is another name in the mix.
He has worked closely with Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City and knows how to run a high-powered, creative offense. For the Giants, his scheming could unlock Dart’s potential, particularly through play-action, RPOs and timing concepts.
His head coaching stint in Chicago was mixed – he earned Coach of the Year, but also struggled with consistency, which may make some wary.
Still, his blend of offensive creativity, familiarity with young quarterbacks, and willingness to adapt could make him a strong candidate to help Dart grow into a franchise cornerstone.
Arthur Smith
Smith, now the Steelers’ offensive coordinator, previously served as the Falcons’ head coach from 2021 to 2023.
In Tennessee, he helped coordinate a physical, run-heavy Titans offense. With Atlanta, his teams were competitive but underwhelming, and he was eventually let go. His return to coordinator duties in Pittsburgh has allowed him to refocus on scheming rather than full program management.
For the Giants, Smith could strike an appealing balance: he’s aggressive in the run game but experienced with building quarterbacks in a balanced attack. The risk is that his head-coaching tenure hasn’t inspired confidence, and he hasn’t yet proven he can flourish in a quarterback-mentor role at this level.
Steve Spagnuolo
Spagnuolo is best known for leading the Giants’ 2007 Super Bowl-winning defense – and now he’s back in the mix. Currently the defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs, he remains one of the game’s most respected defensive minds.
Bringing Spagnuolo home would mean establishing an identity around pressure, complex coverage schemes, and veteran leadership. He knows the Giants' culture, has championship experience, and could dramatically upgrade their defense.
But his age and long coaching history raise questions about fit in a rebuilding project centred on a young, explosive quarterback. Would he be willing to lean into a developmental phase, or would his risk-averse tendencies surface in a way that throttles long-term growth?
Chris Shula
At just 39 years old, Shula is the youngest coach on the list – and perhaps the most intriguing.
The defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, Shula has risen quickly through Sean McVay’s coaching tree. He’s shown a strong command of both front-seven and secondary play, and he has overseen a pass rush that has pressured at a top-tier rate.
For New York, he offers a bridge generation – youthful, energetic, and intimately familiar with modern defensive front design. His lack of head-coaching experience is a concern, but if the Giants are betting on building through Dart, Shula could provide alignment, intellect, and a long runway for growth.
