Brian Daboll emerges as unexpected “wild card” in $1,200,000,000 CFB program's coaching search: Report

The New York Giants parted ways with Brian Daboll at the start of the week after a disastrous start to the 2025 NFL season, ending his coaching tenure with the franchise.

It's been less than a week since his firing, but Daboll has already emerged as a "wild card" option for a coaching role at Penn State, according to The Athletic.

"Some former NFL players with strong ties to Penn State have pushed for Daboll to get in the mix,” the report said.

The $1,200,000,000 CFB program, per ON3, is looking for a new coach after firing James Franklin. The report suggests Daboll "has an interest in the job and is expected to get some consideration," given his stint as the offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2017 that helped them to a national title.

Ohio State offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz and Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key are among the other candidates linked to the job.

Penn State, which entered the season as the No. 2-ranked team in the country under Franklin, is 3-6 and could finish with a losing record for just the second time in 20 years.

ESPN insider shares reason that led to Brian Daboll's firing from Giants job

Brian Daboll made a stellar start to his coaching tenure in New York, leading the team to the playoffs and winning the Coach of the Year award. However, he failed to replicate the same success in the following two seasons, with the team going 5-22 over that stretch.

While a 2-8 record this season contributed to his firing, ESPN's Jordan Raanan reported that Daboll's underutilization of the young talents in New York pushed the front office to make the decision.

Despite Daboll's firing, the team is persisting with general manager Joe Schoen, who is leading the search for Daboll's successor. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has assumed the interim role after Daboll's departure.