Tag: Kafka

New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka talks to reporters before organized team activities (OTAs) at the training center in East Rutherford on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Nfl Ny Giants Practice Syndication The Record

Report: Mike Kafka, Anthony Weaver get 2nd interviews with Saints

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New Orleans Saints are hosting New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for a second interview for their head coaching job Tuesday, while Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator will get a second look later this week, NFL Network reported.

Kafka, 37, will get a longer look in New Orleans after being a finalist for Seattle’s opening last winter. Weaver is again a finalist after bids with Washington and Atlanta a year ago. His second interview will be Wednesday, per the report.

Kafka has no experience leading an NFL team, but he has been the head coach for collegiate showcases in each of the past two seasons: the East-West Shrine Bowl on Feb. 1, 2024, and the upcoming Feb. 1 Senior Bowl.

He has been New York’s offensive coordinator since 2022 and added the title of assistant head coach on Brian Daboll’s staff in 2024.

The Giants finished 18th, 29th and 30th in the NFL in total offense from 2022-24 under Kafka.

A journeyman NFL quarterback who spent time with seven teams from 2010-15, Kafka joined Andy Reid’s staff in Kansas City in 2017 and moved his way up to quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator from 2020-21.

Weaver, 44, is in his first season as defensive coordinator with the Dolphins. He was a position coach on that side of the line with the New York Jets (2012), Buffalo Bills (2013), Cleveland Browns (2014-15), Houston Texans (2016-19) and Baltimore Ravens (2021-23) before becoming the Texans’ DC in 2020.

The Saints’ search has also included in-person interview with interim coach Darren Rizzi, who went 3-5 following the firing of Dennis Allen. New Orleans has had virtual interviews with offensive coordinators Kellen Moore and Joe Brady of the Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills, respectively.

–Field Level Media

Aug 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll reviews the next play during the game against the Detroit Lions at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rausenberger-USA TODAY Sports

Giants’ Brian Daboll on calling plays: ‘Yeah, I’m doing it’

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New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll confirmed Tuesday that he is taking over play-calling duties this season.

“Yeah, I’m doing it,” Daboll said.

Effectively, that was as far as Daboll was willing to go on the topic.

“I’m the head coach, so I’m responsible for everything, whether it’s the defense, the special teams, the offense,” he said.

Daboll, 49, declined to discuss why the change was made from offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, instead saying that his focus remains squarely on preparing for Sunday’s season opener against the visiting Minnesota Vikings.

Kafka handled the play-calling duties during Daboll’s first two seasons with the team.

The Giants were 9-7-1 in 2022 but slumped to 6-11 during a 2023 season derailed by starting quarterback Daniel Jones’ torn ACL. The New York offense finished 30th in the NFL in scoring with just 15.6 points per game.

Before taking over the Giants in 2022, Daboll called the plays as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator for four seasons from 2018-21.

Daboll also had been an offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs (2012), Miami Dolphins (2011) and Cleveland Browns (2009-10).

–Field Level Media

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka, left, on the field for warmups before a preseason game at MetLife Stadium on August 21, 2022, in East Rutherford. Nfl Ny Giants Preseason Game Vs Bengals Bengals At Giants

Brian Daboll may start calling Giants’ plays in 2024

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Head coach Brian Daboll said he is “looking into” calling the New York Giants’ offensive plays next season.

Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka handled those duties during Daboll’s first two seasons with the team.

Speaking at the NFL owners meeting Tuesday in Orlando, Fla., Daboll, 48, said it might be time for a change.

“I think there’s 20 head coaches at this point in time that call plays in the league (either offensively or defensively). … There might be a little bit more,” he said. “I’ve been doing a bunch of research, but no decision has been made. I’m still going through that process, thinking about what we need to do.”

Before taking over the Giants in 2022, Daboll called the plays as the Buffalo Bills’ offensive coordinator for four seasons from 2018-21.

Daboll, who has also been an offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs (2012), Miami Dolphins (2011) and Cleveland Browns (2009-10), admitted he misses calling the plays.

“Certainly,” he said. “I did it for a long time. There’s a lot of things that go into it. Part of the evaluation that I talked about, there are some other things that I’m looking into. I take my time and do what I think is best for the team.”

Daboll doesn’t appear to be motivated by a dissatisfaction with Kafka, who was rewarded with the additional title of assistant head coach last month.

The Giants were 9-7-1 in 2022 but slumped to 6-11 during a 2023 season derailed by starting quarterback Daniel Jones’ torn ACL. The New York offense finished 29th in the NFL in scoring with just 15.6 points per game.

–Field Level Media

Oct 2, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich, Titans’ Terrell Williams named Senior Bowl coaches

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New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and Tennessee Titans assistant head coach/defensive line coach Terrell Williams will serve as head coaches for the Senior Bowl on Feb. 3 in Mobile, Ala.

Chicago Bears special teams coordinator Richard Hightower and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka were named head coaches for the East-West Shrine Game on Feb. 1 in Frisco, Texas.

Ulbrich, 46, joined the Jets’ staff when head coach Robert Saleh was hired in 2021. Ulbrich began his coaching career with the Seattle Seahawks (2010-11) and spent six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2015-20).

Williams, 49, who has been on the Titans’ coaching staff since 2018, began coaching in 1998 at the collegiate level. His first NFL coaching job came with the then-Oakland Raiders (2012-14), followed by a stint with the Miami Dolphins (2015-17).

“This is an opportunity for two excellent coaches, Jeff Ulbrich of the Jets and Terrell Williams of the Titans, to take the reins as head coaches in leading their staffs and top football athletes in the Senior Bowl’s week-long evaluation of NFL prospects,” NFL executive vice president of football operations Troy Vincent Sr. said.

The 43-year-old Hightower is in his second stint with the Bears, rejoining the team in 2022 after spending the 2016 season on the staff. He’s also coached for Houston (2006-08), Washington (2010-13), Cleveland (2014) and San Francisco (2015, 2017-21).

Kafka, 36, has been the Giants’ offensive coordinator for the last two seasons after five seasons on the Kansas City Chiefs’ coaching staff.

“Coaches Hightower and Kafka have the opportunity to not only evaluate top athlete prospects, but also to showcase their skills in leading players and coaching staffs in this high-profile game,” Vincent said.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka talks to reporters before the organized team activities (OTA's) are canceled due to air quality at the Giants training center on Thursday, June 8, 2023.

Giants OC Mike Kafka sidesteps Northwestern questions

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New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka interviewed for multiple NFL head coaching vacancies over the offseason and is expected to be a hot commodity next year if his offense continues to grow this season.

Could that include strong interest from his alma mater?

Kafka played for Northwestern from 2005-09 and finished his career with 4,265 passing yards and 887 rushing yards with 30 combined touchdowns in 27 games.

Now 36, Kafka’s name surfaced as a potential replacement for Pat Fitzgerald after the latter was fired last month in response to allegations of hazing, sexualized abuse and racial discrimination made by former players.

Northwestern ultimately decided to elevate first-year offensive coordinator David Braun to the interim head coach position. However, the school is likely to seek a permanent leader for the program later this year.

When asked Thursday if he would be interested should Northwestern reach out to him, Kafka only offered, “I’d say that I’m just focused on today.”

The Giants received requests from at least three NFL teams after the regular season to interview Kafka: the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts.

Braun was hired by Northwestern in January and then elevated to the head post last month. The Wildcats also added USFL head coach Skip Holtz as the special assistant to the head coach. That is also a temporary position and won’t impact Holtz’s duties with the Birmingham Stallions.

The fallout is still unfolding at Northwestern, which hired former U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch to conduct an independent review of its athletics programs and culture in the wake of recent scandals and allegations of hazing in other sports, too.

The results of Lynch’s findings will be made public, and it remains to be seen how coveted the Wildcats’ football job will be in the coming months.

The Wildcats begin the season Sept. 3 at Rutgers. Braun said the Wildcats will be ready.

“I never could have imagined, nor did I desire, to become a head coach under these types of circumstances. That said, I’m honored to lead this group moving forward,” Braun said at Big Ten Media Days last month.

“I have found a team that has come together, that truly loves one another and has an incredible resolve to attack the 2023 season and write their own story about overcoming adversity. Let me be clear, this football team will be ready to go.”

–Field Level Media

Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale and head coach Brian Daboll after the defense stopped Houston in the red zone in the second half. The Houston Texans at the New York Giants in a game played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on November 13, 2022. The Houston Texans Face The New York Giants In A Game Played At Metlife Stadium In East Rutherford Nj On November 13 2022

Giants’ coaches prioritize playoffs, head-coaching interviews on hold

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Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka received requests to interview with three teams seeking a head coach. He told the Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts that those conversations would have to wait.

Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale said Thursday he’s planning the same tact with the Colts, who requested a huddle with the first-year boss of New York’s defense.

“It’s an honor. But when I came here as a Giant, it wasn’t a steppingstone it was a destination,” Martindale said. “Honestly, I’ve been locked in on Philly and not interviewing this week. When the time comes, if there’s still time and we can do it, I’d love to sit down and talk with them.”

Giants head coach Brian Daboll appeared to take the decision out of Kafka’s hands when asked Tuesday what the plan would be for releasing the first-time playcaller for interviews.

“I’m not going to dive too deep into it. He’s not going to do anything. Everything’s focused on Philadelphia, so this is going to be a normal week for him, for our offense. I know where his focus is. So, there won’t be any interviews leading up to this game,” Daboll said.

Like his coaching counterparts in New York, Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen said he was just “focused on the Giants right now.”

Steichen interviewed with the Panthers, Texans and Colts during the first-round bye week.

Defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon — who met with the Texans on Jan. 14 — was asked how difficult it would be handle an interview this week, as Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will when he meets with the Denver Broncos on Friday.

“Yeah, New York Giants,” Gannon said Wednesday, swiftly moving on to the next question.

The Eagles were No. 1 in total defense and also led the NFL in pass defense in 2022.

Martindale finds it easier to practice what he’s been preaching to his players — focus on the task at hand — after the performance his defense delivered at Minnesota to win last week’s wild-card game.

“What a great time to be a Giant, to be a fan of the Giants,” said Martindale, in his first season with the Giants after 10 seasons with the Ravens, the final four years as defensive coordinator. “I’m so happy and proud of the defense and the way we played in Minnesota. The two fourth-quarter stops at the end of the game, it was just great to see. And I tell you guys all the time about how much I care about these guys and how close they are and selfless they are. And you saw that Sunday in that game with all those players; whatever they had to do to win the game, and that’s what they did.”

–Field Level Media

New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka talk on the field during mandatory minicamp at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center on Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in East Rutherford. News Giants Mandatory Minicamp

Colts Next Coach Odds: Mike Kafka, Greg Roman early favorites

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The Indianapolis Colts are expected to scour the NFL assistant coaching ranks after firing Frank Reich on Monday.

Mike Kafka, who is in his first season as the New York Giants’ offensive coordinator, was installed as the +300 favorite by SportsBetting.ag to succeed Reich. He’s favored over Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman (+500).

It has been a rapid rise for Kafka, a former journeyman quarterback and assistant with the Kansas City Chiefs who was given a preseason trial run by new Giants head coach Brian Daboll before being handed the play-calling duties. The Giants rank 24th in the NFL in total offense, but Kafka has been praised for how he has utilized star running back Saquon Barkley and the steady play of quarterback Daniel Jones through eight games.

Kafka, 35, would likely be seen as a big gamble if he were to land a head coaching job after just one season overseeing an NFL offense. Roman, however, has an extensive resume. The 50-year-old is in his 12th season as an NFL offensive coordinator and the Ravens are his third team, following stints with San Francisco and Buffalo.

The next shortest odds belong to Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, who are both being offered at +700.

Moore’s name has been tied to numerous openings over the past few seasons. He has been viewed as a potential successor to Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, but so, too, has defensive coordinator Dan Quinn.

Ryans, meanwhile, is in his second season running the 49ers’ defense after serving three seasons as the inside linebackers coach.

The Colts were expected to be a strong playoff contender — if not a threat to win the AFC Championship — after acquiring veteran quarterback Matt Ryan over the offseason. He followed in the footsteps of Philip Rivers and Carson Wentz, two other veteran quarterbacks brought in by Reich, but Ryan was benched after Indianapolis began the season 3-3-1.

Two weeks later, the 60-year-old Reich was shown the door. He finished his Colts tenure with a 40-33-1 record, and the team now has a few months to determine what direction to take with its next head coaching hire.

Former Pro Bowl offensive lineman Jeff Saturday was named the interim coach, but he is not among the potential names being offered by SportsBetting.ag

Colts Next Head Coach
Mike Kafka (+300)
Greg Roman (+500)
DeMeco Ryans (+700)
Kellen Moore (+700)
Eric Bieniemy (+750)
Shane Steichen (+900)
Byron Leftwich (+1000)
Jerod Mayo (+1000)
Jim Harbaugh (+1000)
Raheem Morris (+1200)
Brian Johnson (+1400)
Sean Payton (+2000)
Peyton Manning (+5000)
Tony Dungy (+5000)
Pat McAfee (+10000)

Reich was the second domino to fall in the 2022 NFL head coaching carousel, but he almost certainly will not be the final one let go during the regular season.

Arizona’s Kliff Kingsbury was the favorite last week at SportsBetting.ag to be the second let go after Matt Rhule in Carolina. Kingsbury is now the heavy favorite at +150 to be the third after the Cardinals dropped to 3-6 on Sunday.

Kingsbury is followed by a pair of embattled first-year head coaches in Las Vegas’ Josh McDaniels (+400) and Denver’s Nathaniel Hackett (+500). Washington’s Ron Rivera is also +500, with the Commanders teetering on falling out of the playoff picture at 4-5.

Next Head Coach Fired
Kliff Kingsbury (+150)
Josh McDaniels (+400)
Nathaniel Hackett (+500)
Ron Rivera (+500)
Lovie Smith (+700)
Dan Campbell (+1200)
Matt LaFleur (+2800)
Dennis Allen (+3300)

–Field Level Media

Jan 6, 2019; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale during an AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at M&T Bank Stadium. The Chargers defeated the Ravens 23-17. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Giants officially introduce new coordinators

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The New York Giants officially announced the hirings of offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale on Friday.

First-year head coach Brian Daboll also confirmed Thomas McGaughey will return for his fifth season as the special teams coordinator.

“What we were looking for was intelligence, good communicators, good teachers that understood and were experts in their respective areas, and good teammates,” Daboll said.

Kafka, 34, spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs, the last two as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

“Mike obviously comes from … a good system at Kansas City,” Daboll said “He was part of a winning program and culture. He did a great job in helping Patrick Mahomes develop. Played the position. Very smart, very thorough, very level-headed and a good teammate.”

Martindale, 58, is a 35-year coaching veteran, including 17 in the NFL. He spent the previous 10 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, with the last four as the team’s defensive coordinator.

“Wink is a very good communicator, has a good personality, is energetic and very passionate about the way his defense needs to play,” Daboll said. “Another good teammate.”

McGaughey, 48, has been the special teams coordinator since 2018. He was New York’s assistant special teams coach from 2007-10.

“I was very impressed with T-Mac’s overall knowledge of the kicking game and the things that we need to do to execute in that part of the game,” Daboll said. “He’s had a lot of experience, good evaluator and I would just say the same thing that I said about Mike and Wink — good communicator, detailed and a good teammate.”

Daboll was hired last month to replace Joe Judge, who led the Giants to a 4-13 record in 2021 and a 10-23 mark in two seasons. New York has not been to the playoffs since 2016.

–Field Level Media

Dec 13, 2020; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Jets head coach Adam Gase walks to the locker room following a 40-3 loss against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Seahawks interview Adam Gase, covet Mike Kafka for OC post

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Fired New York Jets head coach Adam Gase and Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach Mike Kafka are candidates for the vacant offensive coordinator job with the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN.

Gase has already spoken with the team about the opening, ESPN reported. Kafka could be interviewed next week even if the Chiefs advance to the Super Bowl with two weeks between the conference championship games and Super Bowl.

Kafka is reportedly also a candidate to be head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer after a 30-20 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the first round of the playoffs.

The club-record 459 points can be misleading. The team averaged 34.3 points in the first eight games, then managed just 23.1 points a game in the final eight. Seattle was held to 20 or fewer points in four of the last six games, including the playoff loss.

Schottenheimer spent three seasons as Seattle’s offensive coordinator, following the much-maligned Darrell Bevell, who was fired following the 2017 season.

–Field Level Media