Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 2: Ian O’Connor & Talk About It

Date: November 11, 2025
Podcast: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg (ESPN New York)
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Special Guest: Ian O’Connor (The Athletic)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the state of the New York Giants franchise, focusing on the uncertain future of GM Joe Schoen, the head coaching search after Brian Daboll’s firing, and the ownership structure's impact under John Mara. The first half is a lively, insightful interview with acclaimed sportswriter Ian O’Connor, who brings both context and candid opinion to the Giants’ turmoil. The second segment features the popular “Talk About It Tuesday,” where the hosts riff on mental health, sports-induced misery, and the rollercoaster of New York sports fandom.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Giants' Front Office Shakeup (00:43–05:11)

• Current Status of GM Joe Schoen:

  • Don Rosenberg sets up the discussion, noting that official statements suggest stability – that Joe Schoen will “lead the search” for a new head coach.
  • Ian O’Connor:
    • “Joe Schoen is still probably the betting favorite to have it next year. I just wanted to point out...that is not a slam dunk.” (02:01)
    • Emphasizes that Schoen holds an edge simply because he occupies the job, but “these last seven games matter.”
    • If the team collapses (goes 1–6), it could be a direct reflection on Schoen’s roster construction, even without Daboll coaching.

• The Meaning of 'Lead the Search':

  • O’Connor is suspicious of the term “lead the search,” suggesting it’s corporate spin to project stability to agents and potential coaches:
    • "When you say 'lead,' that infers that the person will be there through the conclusion...I did get pushback on that. It’s interesting that choice." (03:33–04:13)
  • The organization is trying to buy time and avoid further instability.

• Strategic Game-Watching for Evaluation:

  • The next seven games will be a barometer for both the roster and Schoen’s job security:
    • “I do really think they want to look at these seven games and see how Joe Schoen's players play without Brian Daboll coaching them.” (04:56)

2. Who Will Be the Next Giants Head Coach? (07:19–09:35)

• Job Attractiveness & Candidate Profiles:

  • O’Connor: “It is an attractive job on a lot of levels...most particularly because you have Jackson Dart.” (07:46)
  • Predicts the franchise will seek someone with proven head coaching experience, not a novice.
  • “If you step in and you’re competent, you’re going to look like Vince Lombardi.” (08:08)
  • Top Candidate Mentioned: Mike Tomlin (if available).
  • Other Names Tossed In: Marcus Freeman (Notre Dame), Lane Kiffin, Bill Belichick.

• The Importance of Experience:

  • Alan Hahn: “All New York should always err on the side of experience...after four consecutive failings, at least give me somebody with a bit of a resume.” (09:10–09:26)

• Diversity in Franchise History:

  • O’Connor spotlights the Giants’ lack of diversity in leadership:
    • “The New York Giants have played football for 100 years. They’ve never had a black head coach. And I do think that should be a factor here.” (09:35)
    • But stresses: best person should get the job regardless.

3. John Mara's Influence, Health, and Decision-Making (10:43–12:42)

• Mara's Health Factor:

  • Despite personal health challenges, Mara was deeply involved in Daboll’s firing.
  • O’Connor: “...the best news yesterday was that John Mara was engaged and executed this. My understanding is he had a phone conversation with Steve Tisch...that they decided to fire Brian Daboll. Schoen was told of that decision.” (11:15)
  • This suggests Mara/Tisch still hold final decision-making power, even as they aim for stability.

• Who's Really in Charge of the Next Hire?

  • “Joe Schoen really wasn’t involved in that decision, which should tell you something about who’s going to really make this hire this time around.” (11:30)
  • Ownership (Mara & Tisch) will approve or veto the final coaching pick.

4. The Bill Belichick Possibility & Racial Diversity (12:43–16:42)

• On Bill Belichick as a Candidate:

  • O’Connor sees it as unlikely due to age, prior organizational dynamics, and circumstances.
  • However, he leaves the door open given Belichick's connections and the Giants’ emotional meaning to him:
    • “...the one place where he gets emotional is the home of the Giants. But I think that is probably a long shot.” (13:10–14:34)

• Racial Diversity (Again):

  • The Flores lawsuit raised awareness in the organization about reputation and diversity.
  • O’Connor: “...they took some grief for that at the time...there’s that hole in the Giants resume in a very diverse city—and until it happens, it’s still a fact.” (15:16–15:28)
  • Reader feedback: despite Jerry Reese’s success in the front office, fans want to see Black leadership "on the field at the quarterback and head coach position." (16:24–16:42)

5. Ownership Accountability & Franchise Direction (16:42–21:22)

• Is John Mara Good at This?

  • Don Rosenberg bluntly asks if Mara’s just not suited for football decisions:
    • “Isn’t it just fair to say John’s just not good at this?” (16:42)
  • O’Connor responds with nuance:
    • “He was very good at it when they won two Super Bowls...You’re a good owner when you have a very good head coach and a very good quarterback...John’s record has been really bad ever since that second Super Bowl.” (17:23–18:03)
    • Adds, Mara cares deeply as both a fan and an owner, but hasn’t succeeded executive-wise lately.

• What Kind of Hire is Needed?

  • Alan Hahn: “They need their Tom Thibodeau right now...just get them on track.” (19:32)
  • O’Connor: “I am not taking a chance on another assistant coach who’s never done this before...There are head coaches who’ve had success who want this job.” (20:51–20:58)

6. Talk About It Tuesday: Mental Health & Football Misery (24:58–36:46)

A. Alan Hahn’s Traffic Saga (25:14–26:46)

• Missed the start of the show due to parade traffic.
• “This was a me problem. I can’t blame New York City...because I wasn’t smart enough to know, take the train today.” (26:04)
• Peter Schrager commends this self-reflection as "growth."

B. Dealing With Bad Seasons as a Fan (26:46–32:02)

• Peter Schrager laments the Commanders’ defensive collapse and overall futility, but maintains surprising mental resilience:
  • “To have been where we were last year and then have watched the game this past Sunday...There was no [hope]...Somehow, I’m in a pretty good space mentally.” (29:48–29:55)
• Alan advises: “Lean forward, not back...keep an eye on Dan Quinn...If there’s a time, we need to be aware and make the right move so we get out of the suck and don’t stay in it.” (31:14)
• Host banter highlights the pain of hope after rare good seasons being dashed, and the perpetual cycle of suffering as a New York sports fan.

C. Stadium Naming & Political Tangents (32:13–36:46)

• Michael K. humorously paints a future of the Commanders playing in a “Donald J. Trump Stadium.”
  • “I want to paint a picture that’ll make you smile...you’re both walking into Donald J. Trump Stadium to see the Commanders.” (32:15–32:31)
• The group riffles on the absurdities of stadium nicknames, and the unique meaning attached to iconic venues like Madison Square Garden (“The Mecca”).
• Peter Schrager admits, “I checked out more the last two weeks than I have in a long time...I was like, now that I’d seen good, I don’t want to see bad anymore.” (32:02)

7. Bill Belichick – Is He Finished? (39:12–46:16)

• Belichick’s Personality vs. Coaching Value:

  • Don: “All of a sudden, make Bill just some positive byproduct of the greatness of Tom Brady? He’s a hell of a coach. May not like him, but he’s a hell of a coach.” (41:24)
  • Alan: “His personality is what nobody liked...but he has been humbled.” (41:37–41:39)
  • They note that Bill’s ACC record isn’t as bad as the media narrative suggests.

• Will Belichick Get Another Shot, and Should He?

  • Alan: “I personally believe the fact that he not only took the question [about the Giants vacancy]...tells me he’s waiting for the call.” (42:47)
  • Don suggests many people want to see Belichick “go out sad” due to years of arrogance and success.
  • “Whether or not he can win a Super Bowl with them...if he can get them on track...that, I think for him, would be as fulfilling as anything he’s done since his last Super Bowl.” (44:11)

• On Relating to Modern Players:

  • Alan: “Can he relate to today’s player?...Only the guys that won rings love him.” (45:39–45:51)
  • Don: “Trying to relate to players is a problem for a lot of former coaches...” (45:53–46:16)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• Ian O’Connor on Joe Schoen: “He is the betting favorite to have it next year...but I do not think that is a slam dunk, certainly.” (02:01)
• On the coaching search: “It is an attractive job...if you step in there and you’re competent, you’re going to look like Vince Lombardi.” (07:46, 08:08)
• Giants’ diversity gap: “The New York Giants have played football for 100 years. They’ve never had a black head coach. And I do think that should be a factor here.” (09:35)
• On John Mara: “He is more like a fan than any owner I’ve ever covered in 40 years...It hasn’t been all wine and roses for me...But he’s a very good man, just not a very good football executive recently.” (18:16–19:16)
• Alan Hahn on needed coaching hire: “They need their Tom Thibodeau right now. They need somebody that's just going to get them on track.” (19:32)
• Peter Schrager on being a Commanders fan: “To have been where we were last year and then have watched the game this past Sunday...There was no hope...Somehow, I’m in a pretty good space mentally.” (29:48–29:55)
• Alan Hahn on Belichick: “I personally believe...he’s waiting for the call.” (42:47)
• Don Rosenberg on Belichick critics: “A lot of people are dancing on his grave...they don’t want him to get what he wants.” (44:41)
• Alan Hahn on “old Bill Belichick” vs. “the old Belichick”: “What you might get is old Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick, which are two different things.” (45:06)

Notable Moments

• Michael K.'s “Donald J. Trump Stadium” speech (32:13–34:44): A tongue-in-cheek look at stadium naming rights, New York cynicism, and politics mixing with sports.
• Group commiseration about the pain of fandom (31:14–32:02): Relatable sports anguish and advice for surviving another wasted season.

Takeaways for Listeners

• The Giants’ next seven games will influence key front office futures, contradicting the club’s “stability” narrative.
• Experienced head coaching candidates—especially those with actual winning records—are likely prioritized in the upcoming search.
• Diversity remains a pressing, unresolved issue in Big Blue’s on-field and sideline leadership.
• Ownership under John Mara is passionate but lately ineffective, with final say still firmly held despite “consultative” optics.
• Bill Belichick remains a legendary, if polarizing, candidate—his story far from over, but the Giant's job probably a reach.
• Across the board, the hosts display the very New York blend of skepticism, humor, and undying hope that defines local fandom—even when hope is out of reach.

For further calls and more on this topic, plus Bill Belichick’s latest remarks and candid host banter, continue with the next hour of Don, Hahn & Rosenberg.