Giants HC Brian Daboll deserves NFL Coach of the Year recognition
New York Giants first-year head coach Brian Daboll received a Gatorade shower following his team's 38-10 win Sunday over the Indianapolis Colts, but he deserves more than a wet jacket. He deserves the NFL Coach of the Year award.
With the win, the Giants clinched their first playoff berth since 2016 and first with Daniel Jones at QB.
Jones' improved play down the stretch can be credited to Daboll's consistent, careful and tough coaching style.
He has held Jones and others accountable week-in and week-out, promoting the growth of his young quarterback and the team as a whole.
The Giants earned their playoff spot by listening to their leader and overcoming the obstacles that plagued them earlier in the season. Daboll balances criticism and praise perfectly within his locker room.
Supporting good play and punishing bad play is what good coaches do. Daboll just seems to do it better than the rest.
Giants running back Saquon Barkley thinks the choice is clear for Coach of the Year.
Former Coach of the Year frontrunner Nick Sirianni and his Eagles have slipped recently, creating an opening for Daboll. The Week 18 game between the Giants and Eagles could determine Coach of the Year.
In addition to Sirianni, former favorites Robert Saleh of the Jets and Kevin O’Connell of the Vikings have also slipped down the stretch, diminishing their hopes of winning the award.
Jacksonville’s Doug Pederson is also making a case for the award, and may be the last coach standing in Daboll's way.
A Week 18 win against the Titans would cement the Jaguars atop the AFC South, and give them their first playoff berth since 2017.
The former Super Bowl-winning head coach could snatch the award from Daboll in the season’s final week.
Regardless, Daboll has proven to be one of the best coaches in the NFL this season.
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