Mike Kafka didn’t show the same patience level with Shane Bowen that Brian Daboll demonstrated.
The Kafka-led Giants fired Bowen, the embattled defensive coordinator, on Monday and thus shook up the coaching staff significantly for the second time in three weeks – after Daboll was fired as head coach and replaced on an interim basis by Kafka.
Kafka is still deciding who will replace Bowen on an interim basis, The Post’s Paul Schwartz reported. Secondary coach Marquand Manuel, who was defensive coordinator for the Falcons in 2017 and 2018, and outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen are in the mix.
Kafka has been with fellow Daboll original assistants defensive line coach Andre Patterson and inside linebackers coach John Egorugwu for four years, and Egorugwu is a Wink Martindale disciple who could bring a version of that sorely missed system.
The Giants (2-10) blew a fourth-quarter lead in a loss Sunday against the Lions for the fifth time this season and for the third straight week. They are the only team eliminated from playoff contention.
The Lions became the third opponent (Bears and Broncos) to erase a double-digit fourth-quarter deficit against the Giants, who fell to 2-5 in games that they have led by 10 or more points at any point. The Giants’ five blown double-digit leads tied an NFL record.
The change is a reversal from Kafka’s postgame stance.
“I have a lot of confidence in Shane and his entire staff,” Kafka said.
Firing Bowen is the latest pound of flesh thrown to angry fans. The Giants also recently banished unpopular players Evan Neal and Graham Gano to injured reserve, re-acquired Isaiah Hodgins in a plug-and-play move that made sense and moved Jameis Winston ahead of Russell Wilson on the quarterback depth chart.
Bowen had sounded like a broken record in recent weeks.
“Same story right now,” Bowen said last week. “Fighting to fix it, fighting to find solutions for these guys, and being able to make the plays when we need them most.”
Giants co-owner John Mara railed against Bowen at the end of last season and fans never really embraced his honest scheme – light on blitzes and disguises.
There was a situation in the offseason where Bowen could’ve wound up with his old boss Mike Vrabel on the Patriots coaching staff and the Giants would’ve tried to lure Lou Anarumo before he went from fired by the Bengals to the Colts defensive coordinator.
But Daboll hung onto Bowen in the offseason then stuck with him during a 2-8 start this season.
Why?
Because Daboll’s explosive departure with Martindale after the 2023 season already had affected interest in the job before it went to Bowen and parting ways with a second defensive coordinator would’ve set Daboll up for a narrow field of replacements had he been retained.
The Giants expected to have a top-10 defense built around its pass rush this season but Abdul Carter, Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux have combined for 3.5 sacks. Brian Burns is having a Pro Bowl-caliber season with 13 sacks.
The high-investment secondary – with premium free agents Jevon Holland and Paulson Adebo as well as high draft picks Deonte Banks, Cor’Dale Flott and Tyler Nubin – also has been a disappointment.
A pair of two-year problems persist, too. The Giants rank last in rushing defense (after ranking No. 27 last season) and have 22 takeaways (10 interceptions) in 29 games since the start of 2024.
Kafka is auditioning for the role of full-time head coach and general manager Joe Schoen’s job security would benefit from a couple wins that show the roster is more talented than the record indicates and that coaching was to blame.
Bowen welcomed Kafka’s promotion and said they had a “great relationship.” In his new role, Kafka spends time around the defensive huddle at practice, challenging the defensive line with light barbs, preaching communication and calling for do-overs when he isn’t satisfied, players said.
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