Giants OC addresses links to Northwestern head-coaching job

New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka isn't yet ready to say if he'd leave the NFL to become head coach of the Northwestern Wildcats following the school's dismissal of Pat Fitzgerald.

"First and foremost, I'm here focused on training camp and the upcoming season," Kafka told reporters on Thursday, as shared by the Giants' website. "I've got nothing but love and respect for Coach Fitz and I had a great experience at Northwestern. I really did. Many, many lifelong friends to this day. I met my wife there. I started a family there. So, I had a great experience at Northwestern." 

Shortly after Northwestern fired Fitzgerald amid disturbing allegations of hazing within the football program, it was reported that Kafka is "the dream candidate for the school" due to his abilities as an offensive coach. Kafka once played under Fitzgerald at Northwestern, and the 36-year-old previously served as quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs before he was chosen to be New York's offensive coordinator by head coach Brian Daboll in February 2022. 

As Pete Thamel noted for ESPN last month, Northwestern ultimately chose defensive coordinator David Braun to be the program's interim head coach for the upcoming college football season. For a piece published on July 11, Bruce Feldman of The Athletic reported that the university will "ramp up its search into November" for a full-time head coach. 

"I’m just focused on training camp, really, today," Kafka added during his latest comments on the subject, according to Jared Schwartz of the New York Post. 

In his first season with the Giants, Kafka helped the club qualify for the playoffs and earn a road postseason win. Under the coordinator's guidance, quarterback Daniel Jones played well enough to earn a four-year contract this past March that could be worth up to $160M. 

Kafka and the Giants open their preseason with a game at the Detroit Lions next Friday, so it makes sense he wants to keep his eyes on what's directly ahead as of early August. He may, however, once again find himself answering questions about the Northwestern opening during the holiday season.