It’s safe to say coaching is everything in the NFL. The best example is what's happening this season with the New York Giants, who, after beating the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday for the first time in 13 years, now sit at 5-2-1 and remain in first place in the NFC East.
For context, the G-Men won only four games last season and have already won more games in nine weeks this year. So, what is the biggest change from last year to this year?
Well, you can certainly point to coaching, and Big Blue can thank John Harbaugh. Still, the biggest change hasn’t just been the Giants’ head coach; it’s been the coaching staff around him, especially one specific coordinator.
Dennard Wilson is making the case for a future NFL head coaching job
The coach I’m referring to is Giants defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson, who was hired this offseason after serving as the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator for the last two seasons and, since coming over to New York, has quickly become the team’s biggest difference-maker.
Following the Giants' 19-11 Week 9 victory over the Eagles, the Giants' defense ranks fifth in the NFL in total defense, allowing 301.4 yards per game, and third in passing defense, allowing 177.8 yards per game. The best part is they are doing all of this without Brian Burns and Tremaine Edmunds, both of whom are sidelined for the remainder of the season.
We can also thank Wilson for Deonte Banks, who has revitalized his career this season with several game-defining moments, including his Week 4 game-winning pick-six against the Arizona Cardinals, and Arvell Reese, who has looked like the early favorite to win defensive rookie of the year after his three-sack, 10-tackle performance this week.
Before this week’s matchup against Philadelphia, Wilson spoke about holding himself and his defense accountable, stating, "We get too caught up in not speaking the truth. The film doesn't lie...too many coaches these days are scared to have those hard conversations.”
Dennard Wilson talks about holding himself and his defense accountable:
— SNY Giants (@SNYGiants) November 5, 2026
"We get too caught up in not speaking the truth. The film doesn't lie...too many coaches these days are scared to have those hard conversations" pic.twitter.com/5OOKpo14dQ
Comments like that, combined with the Giants’ defense’s on-field performance, lead you to believe Wilson should get more of the credit for this turnaround and could be rewarded with an NFL head coaching job in the future.
Wilson has been light-years better than their previous defensive coordinator, Shane Bowen, who was responsible for several fourth-quarter blown leads last season, so seeing his success with the Giants is a relief for fans.
Harbaugh will continue to get most of the credit this year, as he should. Still, Wilson’s contributions shouldn’t go unnoticed, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s on the sideline somewhere running the show for another NFL franchise.
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