Mike Kafka sounded confident and decisive Wednesday as he revealed his first major decisions in his new role as the Giants’ interim head coach.
He said it was his decision to promote Jameis Winston into the starting quarterback job, with rookie Jaxson Dart in concussion protocol.
And Kafka announced that tight ends coach Tim Kelly will now serve as the offensive coordinator, with Kafka retaining the play-calling duties for Sunday’s game against the Packers at MetLife Stadium.
The new normal for Kafka arrived this past Monday, when co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch decided to fire Brian Daboll the day after the Giants blew a fourth quarter lead and lost, 24-20, to the Bears in Chicago, their fourth consecutive loss to fall to 2-8 after 10 games for the third straight season.
“I’m excited to lead this group, focusing each day, taking kind of just one step at a time with the players and the coaches and getting organized,’’ Kafka said. “I’m excited and looking forward to the challenge.’’
Kafka, 38, was calm and collected in his first media session in his new role, with the only sign that this might have been in any way out of his comfort zone the perspiration marks where his hands grabbed onto both sides of the outdoor lectern on a chilly afternoon at the Giants facility.
The new man in charge stiff-armed any inquiries about his job status moving forward.
The Giants have seven games remaining this season and that will serve as an audition for Kafka, as he is highly-regarded in the building and if he impresses ownership and general manager Joe Schoen, he will be considered to be hired on a full-time basis.
“My only focus is just the players,’’ Kafka said. “We need to make sure as a group, as a staff we come together, put together a great plan.’’
Kafka said “I certainly didn’t anticipate it,’’ when asked about Daboll’s firing.
“But it was one of those things,’’ Kafka said. “They happen in this league. I’m appreciative of what Dabes has done for me as a professional, as a coach, as a person.’’
Kafka said he informed his quarterback that Winston — who had been the No, 3 quarterback all season — that he will start this week and that Russell Wilson will be the backup.
Wilson started the first three games and then was the No. 2 quarterback, behind Dart.
Kafka said Wilson was a “true pro” when he was told about the demotion.
“He’ll do a great job,’’ Kafka said of Winston. “I have a lot of confidence in Jameis, have a lot of confidence in Russ and he’ll be the backup as Jaxson works through the concussion protocol.’’
Dart was forced out of the game against the Bears after he hit his head on the ground after running with the ball and fumbling late in the third quarter. Kafka all but ruled out Dart for this next game.
“Jaxson’s still in the protocol,’’ Kafka said. “He’s in the middle of it. To be honest with you, I have a lot of trust in our medical staff, in our medical team and they’re taking great care of him. Each day I get a little bit of an update. He’s right on track and right on pace in the program.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
