Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg
Episode: Hour 3: Next Giants HC?
Date: November 10, 2025
Hosts: Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, Don La Greca
Guest: Chris Canty (throughout the episode)
Topic: The New York Giants fire Brian Dabel and begin the hunt for their next head coach
Episode Overview
This hour tackles the aftermath of the Giants firing head coach Brian Dabel, as hosts Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg, and Don La Greca—with regular guest Chris Canty—debate what kind of leader the Giants should target next, analyze potential coaching candidates, and riff on New York sports culture. The hour is packed with candid opinions, football insight, and the crew’s trademark banter.
Key Discussion Points
1. Giants Fire Brian Dabel: What’s Next? [00:36-05:46]
- Giants’ Record: The Giants have gone 11-33 over the past three years.
- GM Joe Shane Retained: Ownership is keeping Shane, citing "a good nucleus of talent" but poor results.
- Interim Coach: Mike Kafka is named interim; possibility remains he’ll be considered during the head coach search.
Quote:
“We feel like Joe [Shane] has assembled a good nucleus of talent...Unfortunately, the results of the past three years have not been what any of us want.” —Alan Hahn (paraphrasing Mara, 00:36)
2. What Should the Giants Look For in a Head Coach? [05:46-08:35]
- NY Is a Tough Market: Coaching in New York—"especially when you're a dumpster fire"—requires experience.
- Experience vs. Up-and-Comer: Giants (and Jets) have failed with first-time HCs recently; the panel leans toward an experienced, winning coach.
- Big Names Floated: Mike McCarthy and (if available) Mike Tomlin, Bill Belichick.
- Retreads Not Always Bad: Don points out holes can be picked in any resume, but experience often trumps rookie promise.
Quote:
“I think New York has got to wake up and realize it’s harder to coach here than it is in a lot of other places...when you're the mess the Giants are, you gotta bring in somebody with a little experience and a history of winning.” —Chris Canty [05:47]
3. Potential Candidates: The Big, The Boring, The Out-of-the-Box [08:36-10:19]
- Mike McCarthy: Recent 12-5 seasons and playoff appearances, but only 1 postseason win in Dallas. He’s the top experienced "stabilizing" candidate per Don.
- Other Names via Chris Canty: Clint Kubiak (Seahawks OC), Jesse Minter (Michigan/Chargers DC), Chris Shula (Rams DC).
- Jordan Raanan’s List (via Michael Kay): Antonio Pierce, Jesse Minter—plus obligatory Belichick mention.
- Debate: Can Belichick and his personal life/brand fit in NY? Panel doubts it, but expect at least "outreach."
Quote:
“I’m looking for somebody to kind of stabilize things here...Will it result in a championship? I don’t know. Probably not.” —Don La Greca [07:11]
“I don’t believe [McCarthy] fits. We want to see someone—‘a leader of men’—because it’s just got to click.” —Listener Stephen [13:31]
4. Should It Be Offensive or Defensive? [11:17-12:18]
- Modern Logic: NFL is an offensive league; develop the young QB (Jackson Dart).
- Counterpoint (from guests): Giants’ defense has solid talent but has been "failed by coaching." Perhaps a strong defensive HC, retaining Kafka as OC, is a solution.
Quote:
"There’s talent on this defense—and that talent has been failed by its coaching. So does that make you lean towards a defensive head coach?" —Alan Hahn [11:17]
5. Callers Respond: Chemistry, Experience, and Suitability [13:25-21:00]
- Caller Stephen: Argues "chemistry" and "fit" are essential, and dislikes McCarthy for NY. Wants a "leader of men."
- Panel Response: Chemistry is unknowable until the coach is in place; even Kafka (given offensive progress and rapport with Dart) could warrant an interview.
- Caller Joe (Florida): Wants a proven head coach, not another coordinator. Points to prior coordinators failing as HCs.
- Hosts: Note many top HCs were once coordinators, but Giants might want change this time.
Quote:
"You're not gonna know chemistry and who's gonna be the right person until they're here. That's what makes this whole thing a crapshoot." —Peter Rosenberg [14:54]
6. Expanded Candidate List and Odds Discussion [28:13-32:59]
- Fan Suggestions: Lane Kiffin (reuniting with Jackson Dart), Cliff Kingsbury, Gruden, Jason Garrett.
- Vegas Odds: Lane Kiffin tops lists (4-1), Kingsbury (5-1), Minter (6-1); McCarthy not listed as favorite.
- Hosts’ Personal Picks: Don says he won’t rush—wait to see if heavyweights like Tomlin or John Harbaugh become available.
- Jason Garrett: Dismissed as “vanilla flavored vanilla,” not a contender in the hosts’ eyes.
Quote:
"It's whipped cream on vanilla." —Don La Greca on Jason Garrett [31:42]
"He’s a leader of men, organization… doesn’t have to be an expert in offense or defense." —Don Hahn on John Harbaugh [33:36]
7. Dan Orlovsky Criticizes Firing—Don & Canty Respond [37:13-46:12 | Key Segment]
- Orlovsky on NFL Live: Giants made mistake firing Dabel—Dabel and Dart had something, defense failed, stick together a year longer.
- Quote: “The reality is, this defense that’s got a gajillion dollars or early draft picks had 10-point fourth-quarter leads four different times this year and they couldn’t find ways to secure the lead… I think Brian Dabel and Jackson Dart should have stayed together at least another year.” —Dan Orlovsky [37:14]
- Don and Chris Rant:
- Dabel hired Shane Bowen as DC ("his hand-picked guy"—defensive struggles on him).
- Dart made fourth-quarter mistakes too; offense disappeared late.
- Dabel’s contract status (one year left); do you extend or let him coach as "a lame duck"?
- Development for QB isn’t sole criteria for head coach.
- Dabel is a good OC/QB coach, but not a leader of men.
Quotes:
"It's so lazy...an uneducated opinion...if you paid any attention, you knew...the owner said it's gotta look better....They're 2 and 8 for the third consecutive year. Year after year after year, all you do is lose.” —Chris Canty [42:10-44:24]
“Donnie, if only you could demote a head coach back to coordinator...We want you to work with this quarterback, but you’re not a good leader of men.” —Don Hahn [45:33]
8. Fun, NY Sports as Community [26:20-28:13] (Interspersed)
- Giants’ Popularity: Hosts agree Giants are nearest in popularity to the Yankees in NY, ahead of Knicks—largely due to football’s broad appeal.
- Banter: Touches on hockey, lollipop nostalgia, and the oddness of coaching searches ("blood in the ground"/leader of dogs bit).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- "Bloviating screaming gas bag." —Peter Rosenberg teasing Don, who takes pride in careful points and listening (06:39)
- On Head Coaching Candidates:
“A man who’s not only a leader of men, but a leader of dogs. A leader of animals. Creatures...” —Rosenberg, channeling a joke candidate [22:11-22:55] - On Lane Kiffin Odds:
“At the very top plus 400 is Lane Kiffin. At the top plus 500, Cliff Kingsbury. I don’t like that.” —Don Hahn [30:37] - On demoting the coach:
“If only you could demote a head coach back to coordinator. Say, you know what, you’re under contract. We’re demoting you.” —Don Hahn [45:33] - Dan Orlovsky critique response:
"If he knew the contract situation, if he knew what John Mara said at the beginning of this season...I think his opinion would be different." —Chris Canty [47:37]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:36 – 05:46 – Giants fire Dabel, announce interim moves, opening remarks.
- 05:47 – 08:35 – NY coaching difficulties, need for experience, Mike McCarthy/Belichick debate.
- 08:36 – 10:19 – Candidate lists, Belichick, Minter, coordinator talk.
- 11:17 – 12:18 – Offense vs. defense HC debate; continuity for Dart.
- 13:25 – 21:00 – Callers: chemistry debate, types of coaches, Giants’ approach.
- 28:13 – 32:59 – Odds, candidates: Lane Kiffin, Kingsbury, retreads, Jason Garrett banter.
- 37:13 – 46:12 – Dan Orlovsky's take and extended rebuttal from Don & Chris Canty.
- 45:33 – 46:12 – Fantasy of demoting a head coach, importance of leadership.
- 47:16 – End – Closing thoughts, banter, next steps for the team and program.
Conclusion / What’s Next
The crew sees the Giants' head coach search as crucial—a choice that will define the franchise’s next era. Most favor a proven, experienced leader over a first-timer or hotshot coordinator, especially given NY’s unique pressures. Names like Mike McCarthy, Mike Tomlin, and even John Harbaugh will dominate discussion, with wildcards like Lane Kiffin and Cliff Kingsbury lurking.
Panel Consensus: Experience and proven leadership matter most. Despite hot takes (Orlovsky) suggesting stability with Dabel/Dart, the crew believes a change was necessary for the franchise.
Final Word:
“It’s not about just developing the quarterback. You need a leader of men—someone to run the whole operation. And those are rare.” —Don Hahn [paraphrased from multiple segments]