Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen on Monday, two weeks after head coach Brian Daboll was dismissed for blowing a big lead on the road. Bowen was let go under similar circumstances. The Giants lost a road game in which they led by at least 10 points for the fifth […]
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Giants fire defensive coordinator Shane Bowen
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Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen on Monday, two weeks after head coach Brian Daboll was dismissed for blowing a big lead on the road.
Bowen was let go under similar circumstances. The Giants lost a road game in which they led by at least 10 points for the fifth time this season on Sunday in Detroit.
“My decision to make this move,” Kafka said Monday morning, adding he consulted with general manager Joe Schoen before taking action. “Felt like this was the right time.”
Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen will take over as interim defensive coordinator.
Kafka said defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence was “in tears on the sideline” because he wasn’t part of the personnel group Bowen used for key moments in the game. Lawrence did tell Kafka during the game he was fighting an injury, but the Giants planned to use him on obvious passing downs.
The Giants (2-10) have a “longer week” with their Week 13 game next Monday but Kafka said he was encouraged to see several players report early to the team facility Monday to get a jump on preparation for the primetime matchup with the Patriots (10-2) at New England.
“Only focus is to go 1-0 this week,” Kafka said.
When the Giants fired Daboll, they elevated Kafka to the interim position from his offensive coordinator post. The Giants had 517 total yards against the Lions but went on to lose their sixth consecutive game, 34-27 in overtime.
New York, which is eliminated from postseason contention, has also lost an NFL-high five games after leading in the fourth quarter this season.
Under Bowen, 38, the Giants rank 30th in points allowed (27.8) in 2025.
They were 24th in Bowen’s first season with New York after he spent six years with the Tennessee Titans, including three as the defensive coordinator (2021-23).
–Field Level Media