Surprise Candidate Emerging As Favorite For Giants’ Next Head Coach, And It’s Not John Harbaugh

Former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce is now a name to monitor in the New York Giants’ search for Brian Daboll’s replacement.

Earlier this week, the Baltimore Ravens fired legendary head coach John Harbaugh in a stunning move. Harbaugh has already been widely linked to the Giants, though six other teams with an HC vacancy could pursue him as well.

Even if Harbaugh is the Giants’ top choice, there’s no guarantee he’ll want to go there. If the Super Bowl 47-winning head coach goes another direction? Keep an eye on Antonio Pierce.

According to The Athletic’s Ian O’Connor, Antonio Pierce “did a very good job” in his interview with the Giants. Someone who’s known Pierce since his playing days with the Giants offered tremendous praise, too.

“Blew me away with his growth,” the source told O’Connor. “Born leader…Learned a lot from Tom Coughlin.”

During Thursday’s Fiesta Bowl game between Ole Miss and Miami, Jaxson Dart appeared to say he wanted Kevin Stefanski or John Harbaugh as the next Giants’ head coach. Make of that as you will.

Antonio Pierce Played Five Seasons With The Giants

The former Pro Bowl linebacker played for Washington from 2001 to 2004 before signing with the New York Giants in 2005. Pierce earned his only Pro Bowl nod in 2006, then helped the Giants to a Super Bowl 42 championship the following year.

Pierce went 5-4 as the Raiders’ interim head coach in 2023 after replacing Josh McDaniels. He was retained for the HC job in 2024, but let go after a disappointing 4-13 finish.