The New York Giants are once again in a situation where their season is essentially over with two months left on the schedule. For the third consecutive year, the Giants are 2-7 under head coach Brian Daboll. Fans have lost their patience with the current regime and have no reason to watch games further on television or in person. Even with the presence of Jaxson Dart as their quarterback of the future, Giants fan apathy over the last decade still remains intact.
Giants fans are waiting out the clock until the Giants decide to part ways with Daboll as head coach (and maybe Joe Schoen as general manager). Due to Daboll being on the hot seat, fans are trying to figure out who would be the best option to replace him. There is one suggestion floating around by a veteran NFL reporter, and it is bold, to say the least.
Veteran NFL reporter Gary Myers took to X to suggest a head coach to replace Daboll, and it is with Jaxson Dart in mind — Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin.
Veteran NFL reporter suggests Lane Kiffin as Brian Daboll's replacement as Giants HC
"If the Giants make a coaching change, which seems more likely with each loss, one name they absolutely need to consider: Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who has been mentioned for the Florida and LSU jobs. Kiffin was Dart's coach at Ole Miss and would eliminate any concern about Dart having to transition to a new system in his second year," writes Myers.
How do you ensure a young quarterback doesn't have to deal with too many changes? Hire their former coach at the collegiate level. That's understandable.
The thing that does stand out with Kiffin as a potential head coaching candidate is his lack of success at the NFL level. Let's not forget that Kiffin was once the head coach for the then-Oakland Raiders back in 2007. In his first season, Kiffin and the Raiders finished with a 4-12 record. The following season, the Raiders fired Kiffin after going 1-3. Kiffin hasn't been in the NFL since.
Even with the lackluster track record in the NFL, Myers made the case for Kiffin making the jump back to the pro's, especially to coach Dart again.
"Kiffin has experience as an NFL head coach. He was hired by Al Davis with the Raiders in 2007 when he was 31 years old and was fired after only 20 games. Mike Shanahan also was fired by Davis after 20 games and later won two Super Bowls for the Broncos. Jon Gruden was traded by Davis to the Bucs in 2002 and won a Super Bowl in his first year in Tampa. Monte Kiffin, Lane's father, was the defensive coordinator.
"Davis always knew how to identify the best young coaches. Lane Kiffin is only 50 years old, and winning in the NFL with a landmark franchise with his college QB who looks like he could be a franchise QB may be a situation he finds appealing."
Kiffin does run a pro-style offense but with the fast-speed temp of the college game. Dart thrived in that system, especially in his senior year. In 13 games, Dart led the SEC in passing yards (4,279), completion percentage (69.3), yards gained per pass completion (15.5), and yards gained per games played (329.2). Dart also led all of Division 1 football in yards gained per pass attempt (10.8) and passing efficiency rating (180.7).
Kiffin would certainly fit under the "bold hire" category as potential Daboll replacements. Kiffin is currently being linked to LSU and Florida jobs, and it's unknown if he'd leave Ole Miss for either job. But would he leave to reunite with Dart in New York? It's unknown if he would succeed at the NFL level. Plus, would his personality clash with the New York media market?
This is all speculation. It's up to team owners John Mara and Steve Tisch to make a decision on Daboll and this current regime, which may very well happen at the end of the season.