Giants coaching rumors tracker: Latest news on John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, other potential Brian Daboll replacements

5 days ago 2

Giants coaching rumors tracker: Latest news on John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, other potential Brian Daboll replacements originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It was another tough season for the New York Giants in 2025, but greener pastures may finally be ahead.

For the first time since Daniel Jones was viewed as an up-and-coming star, the Giants appear to have a franchise quarterback in place. Jaxson Dart wasn’t perfect in his rookie season, but he flashed plenty of star talent en route to 24 total touchdowns. With Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers already key young offensive weapons, plus one of the most talented defensive lines in the NFL, New York is building something.

However, the Giants still need someone to guide all of those players. They sent Brian Daboll packing midway through the 2025 season, leaving one of the most high-profile jobs in the league open. Naturally, the Giants’ vacancy is expected to be one of the most coveted in this year’s coaching cycle.

Who will the Giants hire? Here are the latest rumors on New York’s coaching search.

MORE:Ranking the NFL's 2026 head coaching openings

Giants coaching rumors tracker

Giants meeting with former Raiders HC Antonio Pierce

Date: Jan. 8

The Giants will meet with Pierce on Thursday night and on Friday. The former Raiders head coach played linebacker for New York from 2005 to 2009. He made the Pro Bowl in 2006 and was part of the Giants squad that won Super Bowl XLII.

Joe Schoen 'will not be an issue' for John Harbaugh

Date: Jan. 7

O'Connor writes that his "early sense" is that Giants general manager Joe Schoen "will not be an issue" for John Harbaugh, with it not being the former Ravens coach's "way" to come in and push a GM out of the way.

John Harbaugh will have 'options,' with Giants in mix

Date: Jan. 7

Rapoport also expects John Harbaugh to have heavy interest as a top candidate in this coaching cycle, as he said he expects the Giants to interview Harbaugh, also listing the Raiders and Titans to be in the mix.

"He is not going to be out of work long," Rapoport said of Harbaugh.

Giants arrange interview with Mike McCarthy

Date: Jan. 7

While John Harbaugh is viewed as the early favorite, the Giants have also scheduled an interview with former Packers and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy for their head coaching job, per Schefter.

McCarthy joins Kevin Stefanski, Vance Joseph, Lou Anarumo, Kliff Kingsbury, Klint Kubiak and Harbaugh as known candidates for New York.

MORE: Tracking NFL coach firings news and rumors

Kliff Kingsbury 'expected to interview' with Giants

Date: Jan. 6

New York is "expected" to interview Kliff Kingsbury for its head coaching job, after he and the Commanders parted ways after the 2025 season.

Kingsbury, a former head coach at Texas Tech and for the Cardinals from 2019-22, is known for his work with quarterbacks and is coming off a two-season run as Washington's offensive coordinator.

Giants request to interview Klint Kubiak

Date: Jan. 6

New York has requested to interview Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak for its head coaching job, per Breer. Kubiak has also gotten requests to interview for the Cardinals, Raiders and Falcons' jobs.

With the Seahawks in the playoffs, Kubiak will reportedly "take a day or two and figure out a plan to balance all of it."

John Harbaugh 'expected to emerge as a favorite' for Giants' job

Date: Jan. 6

New York was known to have interest in a big fish on the coaching market, such as Mike Tomlin or John Harbaugh, and one of those options became available Tuesday when the Ravens fired Harbaugh.

Schefter reported soon after that news that the Giants are "expected to emerge as a favorite" to land Harbaugh, but also noted that the longtime Ravens coach "will be in demand for many teams." The news of Harbaugh's firing will cause almost every team with a vacancy to "readjust their boards" in pursuit of Harbaugh, per Schefter.

Schefter also reported that Harbaugh's agent received calls from seven NFL teams expressing interest in the coach in the first 45 minutes after he was fired.

Giants request to interview Lou Anarumo

Date: Jan. 6

The Giants have requested to interview Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo for their head coaching job, per Garafolo.

Anarumo is from Staten Island and a former Giants assistant. He also interviewed for the team's head coaching job in 2022.

Giants to interview Vance Joseph

Date: Jan. 5

Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is a candidate for plenty of the NFL's head coaching vacancies, per Schefter, including the Giants'. The list for Joseph also includes the Raiders, Cardinals and Titans.

Kevin Stefanski to interview Wednesday with Giants

Date: Jan. 5

After being fired by the Browns, Kevin Stefanski was expected to speak with the Giants, per Schefter. He's also reportedly going to talk to the Falcons and Titans about their head coaching vacancies.

Stefanski's interview with the Giants will be on Wednesday, Schefter later added.

MORE: What's next for Kevin Stefanski after Browns firing?

Joe Schoen will remain Giants' GM

Date: Jan. 5

Just as their offseason began, the Giants announced that general manager Joe Schoen would be retaining his role, despite the team undergoing a search for a new head coach. Schoen is set to remain a key factor in New York's coaching search.

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