New York Giants defensive coordinator Shane Bowen couldn’t survive another late loss. The Giants have fired Bowen after New York dropped another game late.
Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen will serve as the interim DC. It marks the first major move for interim head coach Mike Kafka.
“Made the tough decision today to let Shane go as our defensive coordinator,” Kafka told reporters on Monday morning. “I got a lot of faith in Charlie. Obviously, these decisions aren’t easy, and Shane’s a good person, a good man, a good coach. Just the results weren’t what we wanted them to be. Charlie’s going to step up for us and rally the group.”
The firing was weeks in the making. Bowen’s defense has given up big leads repeatedly this season. Before Bowen was dismissed earlier this month, former coach Brian Daboll consistently defended him, despite the struggles since he took over the Giants’ defense in 2024 after three years as DC in Tennessee.
In 2024, the Giants ranked 24th in yards allowed, 21st in points allowed, and 28th in takeaways. Despite significant front-seven talent — Brian Burns, Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and first-rounder Abdul Carter — the Giants were consistently overwhelmed. They rank 30th in yards allowed, 30th in points given up, and 30th in takeaways this season.
The late losses were too much to handle, even for a brand-new head coach. The Giants have blown five fourth quarter leads of 10 or more points, the most in the NFL.
Sunday’s collapse in Detroit was the most recent of many. Despite Kafka’s offense generating 517 yards, the Giants couldn’t get the necessary late stop. Explosive plays doomed them again, with three of Detroit’s four touchdown drives coming in three plays or fewer. Add to that the Giants immense talent up front and something had to be done.