Kyle Rote (left) and Steve Owen (right) of 1951 New York Giants – photo credit: CC0
Key Takeaways
- The New York Giants’ coaching history reflects long-term leadership and championship success.
- Steve Owen holds the franchise record for most regular-season wins.
- Tom Coughlin and Bill Parcells each led the team to two Super Bowl titles.
- Jim Fassel and Allie Sherman round out the top five in total coaching victories.
- Coaching longevity and postseason performance define legacy within the organization.
Abel Oonnoonny is the founder and president of Eagle’s Crest Advisors, where he oversees retirement, estate, and tax planning services for individuals and businesses. Before establishing his firm, Abel Oonnoonny spent more than a decade at Charles Schwab, serving as a senior financial consultant and vice president, where he advised hundreds of families and managed significant client assets. His career in financial services began earlier at Fidelity Investments, where he progressed through trading, advisory, and branch management roles.
In addition to his professional background, Oonnoonny maintains a strong interest in sports history and legacy. That perspective aligns naturally with examining the New York Giants, one of the National Football League’s oldest franchises, and the head coaches who shaped its success over the past century. Looking at coaching wins provides a clear, data-driven way to understand how leadership, longevity, and performance intersect in professional football, particularly within a franchise defined by long-term stability and championship milestones.
The 5 Coaches with the Most Wins in New York Giants History
Following a 2-8 start to the 2025 National Football League (NFL) season, the New York Giants fired head coach Brian Daboll. They replaced him with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka on an interim basis. Kafka, the 23rd coach of the Giants since its inception in 1925, coached the team to a 2-5 record over the last seven games of the season. Daboll, meanwhile, concluded his tenure as Giants coach with 20 victories, placing him 11th on the franchise’s all-time coaching wins list.
Steve Owen is the Giants’ longest-tenured and most successful head coach in terms of wins. He coached the team to 153 regular-season victories from 1930 53. His .605 career winning percentage, meanwhile, ranks fourth among Giants coaches who have coached at least 30 games. He is 24th in NFL history for coaching wins and 22nd in games coached (270).
Born in Oklahoma in 1898, Owen joined the Giants in 1930 as co-coach with Benny Friedman. He led the team to a winning record in all but two of the next 14 seasons, including NFL championships in 1934 and 1938. He later worked as a defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles and coached multiple Canadian Football League (CFL) teams. Owen was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.
Tom Coughlin is the only other coach in Giants history with more than 100 regular-season wins (102) and ranks second in games coached (192). Although he had a modest winning percentage of .531, he helped guide the Giants to their greatest successes in the 21st century – Super Bowl titles in 2007 and 2011. Coughlin last coached the Giants in 2015. He later worked as an executive with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he began his coaching career, and as a consultant with the Las Vegas Raiders.
Bill Parcells led the Giants to their other two Super Bowl victories. He coached for eight seasons with the team and posted a 77-49-1 record, ranking third in franchise history for games coached and wins. His .610 winning percentage is also third among coaches with at least 30 games.
Parcels joined the Giants as a defensive coordinator in 1981 and took over as head coach in 1983. After a disappointing 3-12-1 season in his first year, he coached New York to a winning record in six of the next seven seasons. The team won the Super Bowl in 1986 after a 14-2 regular season and again in 1990 after a 13-3 regular season. He moved on from the Giants after the 1990 campaign and later coached the New England Patriots, New York Jets, and Dallas Cowboys. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
Jim Fassel and Allie Sherman rank fourth and fifth, respectively, in coaching victories with the Giants. Fassel won the Associated Press (AP) Coach of the Year in 1997 after leading the Giants to a 10-5-1 record in his first year with the team. He also led New York to an NFC Championship in 2000 and finished his seven-year tenure with a 58-53-1 record. Sherman coached the Giants from 1961-68, posting a 57-51-4 record and earning AP Coach of the Year honors twice.
FAQs
Who has the most wins in New York Giants history?
Steve Owen holds the franchise record with 153 regular-season victories. He coached the team from 1930 to 1953 and won two NFL championships.
Which Giants coaches won Super Bowls?
Tom Coughlin and Bill Parcells each led the team to two Super Bowl titles. Their championship runs defined key eras in franchise history.
Where do Jim Fassel and Allie Sherman rank in wins?
Jim Fassel ranks fourth and Allie Sherman ranks fifth in total victories. Both also earned Associated Press Coach of the Year honors during their tenures.
How does coaching longevity impact legacy?
Long tenures allow coaches to build consistent systems and team culture. Sustained leadership often leads to higher win totals and lasting historical impact.
Why are coaching wins significant in franchise history?
Win totals provide a measurable indicator of performance and stability. They also reflect how leadership translates into sustained competitive success.
About Abel Oonnoonny
Abel Oonnoonny is the founder of Eagle’s Crest Advisors and a financial professional with extensive experience in retirement, estate, and tax planning. His career includes senior advisory and leadership roles at Charles Schwab and Fidelity Investments, where he managed large client portfolios and developed advisory teams. A graduate of Boston University School of Management, Oonnoonny holds multiple securities and insurance licenses and has been featured in national media outlets. Outside of work, he maintains an interest in sports history, culture, and the performing arts.
