American Football

Giants’ coordinators Mike Kafka, Wink Martindale to interview for head coaching openings Sunday

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New York Giants v New England Patriots
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

Could the Giants be back in the market for an offensive and defensive coordinator?

And just like that, the New York Giants offseason is upon us.

The end of the season was, as Head Coach Brian Daboll put it, a “crash landing.” That feeling is only made worse by the fact that Offensive Coordinator Mike Kafka and Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale will begin interviewing for head coaching positions today.

Just twenty-four hours ago, the pair were preparing for a third game against the Philadelphia Eagles, and today they’re auditioning to move on from the Giants and take command of teams of their own.

Kafka has received interview requests from the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, and Indianapolis Colts. Martindale will be interviewing with the Colts as well. Kafka and Martindale will both interview with the Colts on Sunday, and Kafka will have his interview with the Texans and Panthers as well.

[Update] There were conflicting report stating that Kafka’s interview with the Panthers was scheduled for Monday, but the consensus now seems to be that it will be held on Sunday.

Obviously, the Giants wish both men the best, want them to succeed, and advance their careers. But losing either (or both) would complicate an already intriguing off-season. The undisputed strength of the Giants in their 2022 turnaround has been their coaching staff. Wink Martindale’s aggression and exotic blitz schemes helped cover a plethora of deficiencies in the Giants’ defense. Kafka’s willingness to evolve his scheme, identify opponents’ tendencies, and put players in position to maximize their strengths helped the team navigate a flawed and constantly shifting depth chart — as well as keep opponents guessing.

But, those same qualities that made them excellent coaches for the Giants make them very attractive options for other teams looking to replicate the Giants’ success. We shouldn’t get ahead of ourselves and assume either coach is gone until he’s hired away, but Brian Daboll should probably start putting together contingency plans. Not only for the possibility of losing Kafka or Martindale, but also should either coach take assistants with them to a new job.

It’s a good problem to have, but probably one Brian Daboll would prefer not contend with as he enters his second year.

Stay with Big Blue View for more news as the Giants’ offseason unfolds. We’ll update this as we get more information on the coaches’ interviews.

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