Don, Hahn & Rosenberg — Hour 1: Giants Fire Bowen

Date: November 24, 2025
Main Theme: The fallout from the New York Giants’ decision to fire defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after another blown lead, and the broader implications for the franchise’s coaching staff, organizational direction, and current roster talent.

Episode Overview

The trio kicks off with their usual banter but quickly turn to the main story: the New York Giants have fired defensive coordinator Shane Bowen after another crushing defeat where they lost despite amassing over 500 yards of offense. The discussion spans whether the Giants’ structural problems are about talent, coaching, organizational culture, or all of the above. The episode features passionate exchanges on Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka, general manager Joe Schoen, quarterback decisions, and how the team’s late-game collapses suggest deeper issues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Games Recap and Personal Football Weekend

• Don describes watching the Jets and Giants simultaneously at a family farm, joking about the “two bowls of gruel” he was subjected to as both teams struggled ([03:09-04:07]).
• Discussion pivots quickly to miserable New York football— with Don noting the contrast between the winning mentality of teams like the Chiefs and the Giants’ epic ineptitude in closing games.

2. Giants’ Blown Leads and Coaching Decisions

• The Giants surrendered yet another late lead, losing after an offensive explosion— prompting the firing of Shane Bowen ([07:30] and [08:19]).
• Hahn: “What we're seeing is it's the defense that’s the major problem. The offense with capable quarterbacks is clearly an offense that can score and it does. Also, one more question is why the hell was Jameis Winston not even dressing for games earlier this season?” ([07:30-08:19])
• The main debate: Is the problem cultural, schematic, or about player talent?
  • Don: “There is a loser stink here that needs to be hosed off.” ([16:26])
  • Anthony (producer and die-hard Giants fan): “They lost the same game they lost five times this year already… I don't know why anybody that watches this team would want anybody from this regime back.” ([15:03-15:51])

3. Quarterback Carousel: Dart, Winston, Wilson

• Hahn: Puzzles over why Winston didn’t start earlier; wonders whether Dable had a personal issue or an undisclosed reason for not playing him ([09:13-11:04]).
• Peter: “Russell Wilson has been cooked. We know Jameis Winston will give you 30 picks every year, but he's a dynamic offensive player and he galvanizes his group.” ([09:45])
• Don: Suggests maybe there was a behind-the-scenes agreement with Wilson to start the season, but can’t explain Winston’s lack of use ([11:18-12:11]).

4. Should the Giants Blow Up the Regime or Salvage Pieces?

• Hahn: Thinks the talent is there; the defense and coaching are failing the roster ([13:27-14:59]).
• Anthony: Wants everyone gone—calls for a complete organizational reset: “I hope [Kafka] gets [a chance] somewhere else because I think anything that's a part of this needs to go.” ([17:06])
• Don: Kafka now making coaching personnel decisions (firing Bowen) indicates he’s being seriously considered for the permanent job ([17:16-18:50]).

5. Is Coaching or Talent the Bigger Issue?

• Hahn: “A team with a bad roster doesn't have that many 10-point leads in the second half... A team that's good but poorly coached always finds a way to keep it competitive or have leads. And then they blow it because they're just poorly coached. They can't finish games for whatever reason.” ([23:17]).
• Peter: “I agree there's a culture problem here. This, this them blowing leads is a problem… but it is hard for me to throw out the baby with the bath water.” ([22:53]).

6. Kafka’s Chances as Permanent Head Coach

• Kafka addresses the media post-firing Bowen:

  "Made the tough decision today to let Shane go as our defensive coordinator and... we're going to let Charlie Bullen run the defense... obviously these decisions aren't easy and Shane's a good person, he's a good man, he's a good coach. Just the results just weren't where we wanted them to be." ([26:08])

• Don: “I just have a feeling, guys, [Kafka's] the favorite right now and it's getting close to where, you know, Pete, I'm not right where you are, but it might be his job to lose. It could be.” ([27:55])
• Hahn: Emphasizes the process isn't over, especially if a “big name” coach comes free. Kafka’s fate depends on how attractive the Giants job is relative to other coaching openings ([28:32]).

7. Playcall Debate: Field Goal or Go For It?

• Fourth and Goal controversy—should Kafka have kicked or attempted to ice the game?
  • Don: “At that moment, fourth down, I said aloud, kick the field goal because... I'm going to force them to get a touchdown rather than [a] field goal.” ([31:04])
  • Hahn: “You take the points in this situation, you have to and then... if they do [score a touchdown], then you stare down at your defensive coordinator and say, ‘what the hell, man?’” ([32:07])
  • Peter: “It's ridiculous. You kick a field goal, you go up six.” ([32:52])
  • Don: Critiques performative “Riverboat Ron” aggression: “...Now it's become the mentality of these coaches is going back to Ron Rivera... I'm a gambler man… Sometimes maybe the better thing to do is dial it back, not be such a man and just be logical...” ([33:48])

8. Passionate Fan and Listener Reactions

• Anthony and Tessa (callers) both express exhaustion and cynicism as long-suffering Giants fans. Tessa:

  “The pool is polluted with pee trash and full of bu. Have to drain the whole pool out... He's [Kafka] still a part of the problem.” ([42:24])

• **Other fans, like Corey in Old Bridge, see value in talent assembled by GM Schoen and urge for patience or targeted change, not a total blow-up ([37:08-38:22]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Don on the state of New York football:

  “It’s like getting two bowls of gruel, right? Like when Oliver said, ‘more, please.’ I got more.” ([03:58])

• Anthony’s Giants indictment:

  “They lost the same game they lost five times this year already...You’re the only team that has had two 500 yard games on offense and lost both of them...” ([15:03])

• Hahn on the root problem:

  “A team with a bad roster doesn’t have that many 10 point leads in the fourth quarter... A team that's good but poorly coached... blows it because they're just poorly coached. They can't finish games.” ([23:17])

• Peter on Kafka's predicament:

  “I don't need to see professional teams coach their teams the way I play Madden... I wonder if there's a possibility, guys, that you particularly roll the dice here because in the end you don't care if you lose.” ([33:51])

• Tessa, the exhausted fan:

  “The pool is polluted with pee trash and full of bu. Have to drain the whole pool out. We can't even treat it. We have to drain it.” ([42:24])

Important Segment Timestamps

• [04:07] – Don’s “two bowls of gruel” anecdote; the state of NY football.
• [07:30 & 08:19] – Giants’ defense blamed; Bowen firing discussed.
• [09:13-11:04] – On Winston vs. Wilson at QB; Kafka and Dable’s roles.
• [13:27-15:51] – Blow it up or salvage talent? Anthony’s passionate fan rant.
• [16:26] – Don: “There is a loser stink here that needs to be hosed off.”
• [23:17] – Hahn on the difference between bad coaching and bad roster.
• [26:08] – Interim coach Mike Kafka’s remarks after firing Bowen.
• [31:04-34:43] – The 4th-and-goal playcall debate; field goal vs. going for it.
• [42:24] – Tessa’s “drain the pool” metaphor and fans’ exhaustion.

Conclusion

The hosts dissect the endless cycle of hope and frustration with the Giants, centering on the firing of Bowen, Kafka’s potential future, and whether the team needs a massive overhaul or just targeted changes. The passion from both the hosts and their fans underscores just how exhausting and emotionally charged this season has been. The real question heading into the off-season: do you rip it all up, or is there enough beneath the “loser stink” to salvage?

Memorable Summary Tone: Frustrated but funny, always passionate, and unafraid of hard truths—equal parts sports bar argument and group therapy for Giants fans.