The Giants are going from Bowen to Bullen, but there could be bigger changes in store than just a few letters in their names.
Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen was tapped Monday by interim head coach Mike Kafka to replace the fired Shane Bowen as defensive coordinator and play-caller.
Charlie Bullen is the Giants new interim defensive coordinator. Corey Sipkin for the NY POSTBullen’s challenge is to fix a leaky rushing defense ranked last in the NFL and figure out how to close out games (five fourth-quarter blown leads) with one extra day to prepare for Monday against the Patriots.
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tRY IT NOW“I have a lot of faith in Charlie and the pedigree that he brings coming into this defense,” Kafka said. “I think he’s a smart coach, he’s detailed, he’s aggressive and his room has had a lot of production. I know he’s ready for the task.”
Bullen is in his second year with the Giants and has been consistently praised by starters Kayvon Thibodeaux and Brian Burns. He is active and energetic on the practice field.
“Charlie Bullen has been a great asset to me and the rest of the guys in the room, and continuing to kind of grow – not just my ability on the field, but know what weight I want to play at, know what size, know what side of the ball I like and just figuring out what works for me and kind of just honing in on it,” Thibodeaux said in August. “I think it’s the consistency of greatness. It’s understanding that, ‘Yeah, you know it, but let’s just go over it three more times.’ I think it’s that 10,000-hour mindset.”
Kafka called the staff change “my decision.” Interestingly, Bullen and Giants general manager Joe Schoen, who is on his own hot seat, both were members of the Dolphins organization from 2012-17.
Bullen works with first round draft pick Abdul Carter during practice. Chris Pedota, NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images“I have conversations with Joe and make sure we’re both on the same page and united on it,” Kafka said. “Any of these kind of big decisions that come up … we talked about them after the game, talked about them this morning and just making sure we make the right decision for the team.”
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The soon-to-be first-time play-caller Bullen came from the University of Illinois – where he worked under former Giants assistant Bret Bielema – but has 12 years of NFL experience.
His mentors include Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph and Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke, both of whom are seen as dark horse 2026 head coach candidates.
“We’re going to give Charlie the reins to make the corrections that he sees fit for the defense, whether it’s personnel, whether it’s scheme, whether it’s communication calls,” Kafka said. “And so he’s going to have to work hand-in-hand with the whole defensive unit to make sure that it’s his vision on how he sees it. And, obviously, I’ll have my fingerprint on there as well.”
Kafka turned to Bullen over secondary coach Marquand Manuel, who has play-calling experience as Falcons defensive coordinator (2017-18) but is newest to the Giants staff. He also bypassed his four-year colleagues as original members of former head coach Brian Daboll’s staff, inside linebackers coach John Egorugwu and defensive line coach Andre Patterson.
“Charlie is going to step up for us and rally the group,” Kafka said. “The defensive staff will rally around Charlie.”
