Well, it didn’t take long for the coaching carousel to get underway, and with several head coaches on the chopping block and several vacancies around the league, we should start to see a lot of changes coming soon.
The New York Giants' job is one of the most attractive head coaching opportunities out there because of the market, their top-five draft pick, and the chance to work with players like Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, Malik Nabers, and Abdul Carter.
Related: Overlooked firing may have already torched Giants fans’ Kevin Stefanski hopes
The list of candidates that the Giants have either requested permission to speak to with other teams or have scheduled interviews with includes Mike McCarthy, Kliff Kingsbury, Vance Joseph, Kevin Stefanski, Lou Anarumo, Mike Kafka, and Klint Kubiak. John Harbaugh is also on the list and looks like the favorite -- he'll be scheduled when he's ready.
However, there’s one candidate that general manager Joe Schoen couldn’t get in the building faster if he tried, and has actually already completed his interview.
Kevin Stefanski would make a lot of sense as the Giants' next head coach
Stefanski, was spotted at Newark airport on Tuesday, just a day after he was fired by the Browns, and it was reported by NFL Network's Mike Garafolo that he would be having dinner Tuesday with Giants brass and formally interviewing on Wednesday.
The #Giants had dinner last night with Kevin Stefanski and will meet again today. Meanwhile, they’re exploring John Harbaugh and could set something up soon. And, as @TomPelissero notes, they’ve scheduled a meeting with Mike McCarthy. Multiple experienced candidates in the mix. pic.twitter.com/kjZ8cfIfWf
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 7, 2026
Stefanski is a Philadelphia native and is the son of Ed, a longtime NBA executive for the Phoenix Suns and previously the 76ers, Nets, and several other teams. Kevin was the head coach of the Browns for six seasons, leading them to two playoff appearances in 2020 and 2023 and finishing with a 45-56 overall record. The 43-year-old was also named the AP Coach of the Year twice.
Before working with the Browns, Stefanski held several positions on the Minnesota Vikings staff from 2006 to 2019, including tight ends coach, running backs coach, quarterbacks coach, and offensive coordinator. Big Blue even requested to interview him in 2017 for their open OC job, but Minnesota denied the request.
It’s clear Schoen and the Giants’ front office like Stefanski as a candidate and have had him on their radar for quite some time. Bringing in someone with the experience to handle this job and market is something the franchise has lacked since Tom Coughlin was roaming the sidelines.
This is a massive hire for the Giants, and all eyes will be on Schoen and the front office as this decision could alter the franchise’s future in whichever way they decide to go. It’s crucial they consider Dart as well when making this hire, because the next HC will be a critical part of the young quarterback’s development.
Stefanski has the pedigree to turn this ship around, bringing a new culture that the Giants have lacked for several years.