Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Carl Banks & Chris Canty Join The Show

Date: November 10, 2025
Podcast: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg (ESPN New York)
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca ("Donnie")
Guests: Carl Banks (former Giants linebacker, broadcaster), Chris Canty (Super Bowl champion, ESPN Radio personality), listener Tessa

Episode Overview

This episode is dedicated to the seismic change for the New York Giants: the firing of head coach Brian Daboll after a steep decline following his successful debut season. Giants legends and analysts Carl Banks and Chris Canty join the show to break down the reasons behind the move, ownership's role, ongoing struggles with organizational consistency, the outlook for interim coach Mike Kafka, and the make-or-break nature of the coming months. Listener calls bring out passionate opinions about possible future coaches and the organizational path forward.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Firing of Brian Daboll: Why Now?

• Carl Banks shares that no one should be surprised. Coaching is a "results-oriented business" (01:35) and Daboll's consistent late collapses—particularly games that "should be a win turn into a loss" (01:16)—left the Giants with no other choice.

  • Quote: “It’s the head coach who stands there before the press. No matter what part of the team fails, it’s his team.” — Carl Banks (01:55)

• The team’s lack of a stable kicking game and underperforming defense, despite investments and known talent, all fall under the head coach's responsibility.

2. Remaining Faith in General Manager Joe Schoen?

• Schoen stays on, suggesting ownership believes in the team's talent—but isn't putting all blame on roster construction.
• Banks articulates frustration with poor outcomes despite defensive talent:
  • Quote: “They invested a lot of their resources on the side of the football that is not playing very well.” — Carl Banks (03:38)
• Schoen’s mixed legacy: shrewd fiscal management, some good draft picks, but mishandling of the Saquon Barkley situation and questions about player development.

3. Organizational Rot or Bad Hires?

• Peter Rosenberg compares Giants' coaching woes to Jets’ perennial QB issues.
• Banks defends Giants’ ownership as hands-off and non-meddlesome (07:56), arguing the problem is a lack of continuity and player development more than high-level mismanagement.
  • Quote: “Finding a coach is the number one priority. It has not worked out. That is 100% true.” — Carl Banks (10:22)
• The need for assistant coaches who develop talent is paramount.

4. The Roster's Outlook and Player Development

• There’s optimism about pieces like Jackson Dart (QB), Cam Scadaboo (RB), Andrew Thomas (OL), and Malik Nabers (WR). The big question is: who will develop these pieces?
• Quote: “You need teachers right now in the NFL, you don’t need, you know, guys who can tell you what analytics say, because analytics don’t have a heartbeat.” — Carl Banks (13:22)

5. Who Should Be the Next Head Coach?

• Banks won't nominate a candidate out of respect for current staff (14:03), but supports interim Mike Kafka getting an audition.
• The hosts and callers debate external names:
  • Mike Kafka (Giants’ OC/interim): Will get a chance, but future unclear.
  • Antonio Pierce: Has player support but lacks successful experience (21:43).
  • Bill Belichick: Don is intrigued by the idea, but both Banks and Canty are skeptical.
    • Quote: “Bill Belichick... I think he’s shown that he’s not somebody that commands that institutional control that he once had... I just don’t think the Giants need to be moving in that direction.” — Chris Canty (28:10)

6. What’s Wrong With the Giants’ Culture?

• Quote: “A fish rots from the head down, and John Mara has to own a certain amount of this.” — Chris Canty (30:19)
• Canty points out that continuity and organizational hierarchy issues have played a part, but Mara gave Daboll a reasonably long leash compared to past coaches.

7. The Kafka Question

• While Banks is supportive, Canty is clear that Kafka is too complicit in the Giants’ struggles to warrant serious head coaching consideration (37:38).

8. What Kind of Coach is Needed?

• Canty suggests a young, energetic “program builder” who can grow with the team—highlighting names like Clint Kubiak (Seattle Seahawks OC), Jesse Minner (LA Rams DC), Chris Shula (LA Chargers DC) (35:15).

  • Quote: “I like somebody that can grow with this young team, somebody that's going to bring the energy, somebody that's going to bring the juice.” — Chris Canty (36:12)

• Head coach should coach all 53, not just be a "quarterback whisperer" (36:54).

9. Listener Calls: Giants Fan Therapy

• Caller Jason: Floats Antonio Pierce. Hosts agree players love him but doubt his experience is enough (21:43).
• Caller Paul: Suggests Belichick; hosts agree he’d be an upgrade in-game but question his current fit and energy (23:15, 24:18).
• Tessa: Wants a disciplinarian like Mike Tomlin or even "a Nick Saban or Bill Cowher type" to rebuild the foundation. Hosts reflect on Giants needing a stabilizer, not a sexy hire.
  • Quote: “We need the basics. We need the foundation built up. We have so many cracks in our foundation right now. We need it all tore down to the ground and we need to rebuild it.” — Tessa (43:54)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “It’s the head coach who stands there before the press. No matter what part of the team fails, it’s his team.” — Carl Banks (01:55)
• “They invested a lot of their resources on the side of the football that is not playing very well.” — Carl Banks (03:38)
• “You need teachers right now in the NFL, you don’t need... guys who can tell you what analytics say, because analytics don’t have a heartbeat.” — Carl Banks (13:22)
• “Bill Belichick... I think he’s shown that he’s not somebody that commands that institutional control that he once had... I just don’t think the Giants need to be moving in that direction.” — Chris Canty (28:10)
• “A fish rots from the head down, and John Mara has to own a certain amount of this.” — Chris Canty (30:19)
• “I like somebody that can grow with this young team, somebody that's going to bring the energy, somebody that's going to bring the juice.” — Chris Canty (36:12)
• “We need the basics. We need the foundation built up. We have so many cracks in our foundation right now. We need it all tore down to the ground and we need to rebuild it.” — Tessa (43:54)

Timestamps: Important Segments

• [00:14] Big news: Brian Daboll out as Giants HC; Joe Schoen to stay
• [01:35] Carl Banks’ initial reaction to Daboll firing—onus is on the head coach
• [03:38] Talent, defense, and questions about Schoen’s evaluation
• [07:56] Giants’ organizational structure debated; ownership’s role
• [11:29] Do Giants fans have reasons for hope? Banks on young talent and direction
• [14:03] Banks’ take on the coaching search, why he won’t name names now
• [21:43] Caller: Antonio Pierce as HC? Hosts’ breakdown
• [23:15] The Belichick question: would he be an in-game upgrade?
• [27:28] Chris Canty joins; history of Giants’ struggles post-Super Bowl
• [28:10] Canty rejects the idea of hiring Belichick
• [30:19] Canty: Ownership, hierarchy, and the root of the Giants’ issues
• [35:15] Canty’s coaching wishlist: program-builders, not just big names
• [36:54] Coaching all 53 vs. being a “quarterback whisperer”
• [37:38] Kafka’s future: Canty says he’s too complicit to get the job
• [43:54] Caller Tessa on foundational rebuild; dreaming of a Tomlin or Saban
• [46:03] Mike McCarthy floated as a stabilizer/stabilizing hire

Takeaways

• The entire franchise is at a crossroads, with a need for not just a new coach but an organizational reset in player development and culture.
• The answer isn’t likely a “sexy” name but someone who can build, connect, and get the best out of talent.
• Managing the expectations of a fanbase that yearns for discipline, accountability, and at least a return to respectability is key.
• The Giants have pieces, but need the right builder—and faith that ownership will not repeat the mistakes of the last decade.

This episode was an honest, passionate, and at times raw look at what’s wrong with the Giants, what needs to change, and the difficult search for the right leader to restore hope in MetLife Stadium.