Why Giants Don't Have a Head Coaching Problem

While not all of the Giants’ 2023 problems are on the coaching staff—execution or lack thereof also played a big role—it’s easy to see why Daboll would become frustrated. But depending on which report you prefer to believe, Daboll allegedly took that frustration beyond the limit to the point where he became almost unbearable, an allegation that raised the question of whether the Giants have the right man for the job.

On the latest Locked On Giants podcast, I discussed this. I believe Daboll has built up some equity with the players, who never checked out despite having nothing to play for down the stretch. For every tablet he might have chucked in quarterback Daniel Jones’s direction, I’ve also witnessed him hug the quarterback. For every expletive he shouts during practice, he’s also the first to applaud wildly when a play is made. And for every death stare he’s given to an assistant coach following a screw-up, he’s also given out hugs.

I don’t want to speak for Daboll, but I believe he tends to pop off so quickly because he recognizes how hard the team works behind the scenes. I also think that deep down, he realized that despite everyone’s best intentions, the team he had in 2023, whose chemistry was ruined by injuries, wasn’t good enough to overcome many mistakes.

This doesn’t suggest that Daboll is fine with continuing such explosive behavior. If nothing else, popping his cork as often as we see during games or practices can’t be good for his health, so if for no other reason, he might want to remember that no game is going to be played perfectly and that he should consider figuring out a way to better release any frustration that comes from a mishap.

No one wants to be screamed at, especially when others witness the event. These are all grown men and women working under Daboll, and while the coach has said that his outbursts are nothing personal, they’re not a good look. A better and likely preferred approach is to sit down with someone to find out what went into the decision and then offer guidance on correcting the problem, as popping off will put someone on the defense.

After going through a magical rookie season, Daboll is still a relatively new head coach who experienced just about every form of adversity under the sun in his second campaign. He always talks about needing to do a better job, coach better, mentor better. 

Well as Tom Coughlin, another Giants head coach who came in like a hurricane before realizing he had to change is ways, once said, “Talk is cheap.” And all eyes will be on Daboll this coming year to see what changes he makes to his own performance because while tempers are going to flare, when they start dominating the game, something needs to change going forward.