A New Era Dawns for the Giants: Only Two Familiar Faces Remain as Harbaugh Reshapes the Coaching Staff!
When a new head coach steps in, it's often a clean slate, and for the New York Giants, this is no exception. John Harbaugh, the newly appointed head coach, is making significant changes to his coaching staff, and it appears only two members from Brian Daboll's previous team will be staying on board. This is a common practice in the NFL, as new leaders typically want to surround themselves with coaches they trust and have a proven track record with, or fresh talent they've scouted themselves. It’s all about building a team that aligns with their vision for success.
This means we'll be seeing new faces in key positions, including a brand-new offensive line coach. Carmen Bricillo, who held the offensive line coaching role under Daboll, is not expected to return. This might raise an eyebrow for some, considering Bricillo, along with assistant offensive line coach James Ferentz, were instrumental in developing the Giants' offensive line play, which saw some of its best performance in recent years. The core of that strong line – Andrew Thomas, Jon Runyan Jr., and John Michael Schmitz – are all under contract and are anticipated to be back in the starting lineup. They'll now be learning from new position coaches as they continue their development.
So, who are the two trusted individuals making the cut? First up is Charlie Bullen, who will be leading the outside linebackers. At 41 years old, Bullen has a knack for managing a talented group, including promising rookies like Abdul Carter, established stars like Brian Burns (who had a career-high 16.5 sacks last season), and Kayvon Thibodeaux (who, despite an injury-shortened season, is a force to be reckoned with). Carter, the No. 3 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is even a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, a testament to Bullen's coaching prowess.
But here's where it gets interesting: Bullen also stepped up as the interim defensive coordinator after the Week 12 overtime loss in Detroit, following the departure of Shane Bowen. Under his temporary guidance, the defense became notably more aggressive, and Carter’s performance saw a significant uptick. This experience is particularly noteworthy given that Bullen previously served as a defensive assistant for the Dolphins for five seasons (2012-2016), a period when current Giants general manager Joe Schoen was also with the Dolphins in a scouting capacity. This shared history could be a significant factor.
The second coach to survive the overhaul is Tim Kelly, who will be coaching the tight ends. At 39 years old, Kelly joined the Giants in 2024. He was promoted to interim offensive coordinator after Daboll was fired 10 games into the season. His previous experience as an offensive coordinator for both the Texans and Titans means he brings a wealth of offensive knowledge to the table. Retaining Kelly could offer valuable continuity for Theo Johnson as he heads into his third NFL season, helping him build on his progress.
Now, let's talk about the elephant in the room: While it's standard for new head coaches to bring in their own guys, the departure of Bricillo and Ferentz, who were praised for their work with the offensive line, might leave some fans wondering if this was the right move. After all, building a strong offensive line is crucial for overall team success. Do you think Harbaugh made the right call by bringing in new offensive line coaches, or should he have kept the successful duo from Daboll's staff? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
