Early Life & College Career at Northwestern University
Mike Kafka was born on July 25, 1987, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended St. Rita of Cascia High School, where he played quarterback (after initially playing safety) and compiled impressive statistics as a dual-threat player.
Kafka committed to Northwestern and played for the Wildcats from 2006–2009 (he redshirted in 2005).
College stats & highlights:
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Over his Northwestern career, he completed 408 of 637 passes (64.1 %) for 4,265 yards and 19 touchdowns.
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In his senior year (2009), he started all 13 games and ranked among the Big Ten leaders: completion percentage (~64.8 %), passing yards per game (~263.8), total offense (~286.5 yards/game).
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On January 1, 2010, in the Outback Bowl vs. Auburn, Kafka threw for 532 yards (school & bowl record) and 47 completions out of 78 attempts — also setting the school’s single-game rushing figure for a quarterback earlier in 2008 (217 yards vs Minnesota).
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His 3,725 yards of total offense in 2009 stand as the second-most in Northwestern program history.
Kafka’s college career demonstrated a blend of passing proficiency and athleticism — traits that would serve him in coaching later on.
Professional Playing Career
Kafka was selected in the 4th round (122nd overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
His playing career included:
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Appearing in only a handful of NFL games — he completed 11 of 16 passes for 107 yards, 0 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.
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Stints on multiple teams’ rosters/practice squads (including New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals) though he never secured a long-term starter role.
Although he did not have a storied playing career in the NFL, his experience as a quarterback and his work-ethic laid groundwork for his transition into coaching.
Coaching History
Kafka began his coaching journey shortly after his playing days concluded.
Northwestern (2016)
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In 2016, he returned to Northwestern as a graduate assistant on the offensive side.
This initial role allowed him to begin learning the craft of coaching while still connected to his alma mater.
Kansas City Chiefs (2017–2021)
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February 2017: Hired as offensive quality control coach under head coach Andy Reid.
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January 2018: Promoted to quarterbacks coach. Under Kafka’s coaching, QB Patrick Mahomes won the NFL MVP award in 2018.
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March 2020: Added the title Passing Game Coordinator. He helped the Chiefs win Super Bowl LIV.
His time in Kansas City gave him strong credentials as a young offensive mind, working at a high level in the NFL.
New York Giants (2022–Present)
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February 11, 2022: Hired as offensive coordinator for the Giants.
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Later added the title Assistant Head Coach (2024).
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November 10, 2025: Named interim head coach after the firing of former head coach Brian Daboll.
His rise with the Giants shows how his coaching acumen has matured and how he is now viewed as a leader.
Legacy & Impact
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As a college quarterback, Kafka demonstrated versatility — a strong arm, mobility, and leadership under center.
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His rapid rise in coaching — from graduate assistant to NFL offensive coordinator and now interim head coach — shows his capacity to adapt and lead.
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He brings quarterback-friendly expertise (having coached Mahomes) and offense-centric mindset to head-coaching roles.
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His tenure at Northwestern and in the NFL gives him both the theoretical and practical experience needed at the highest level of American football coaching.
Conclusion
Mike Kafka’s trajectory—from star quarterback at Northwestern, to journeyman in the NFL, to rising coaching star culminating in an interim head coaching position with the New York Giants—is notable and instructive. His college stats, his time coaching elite quarterbacks, and his quick advancement into leadership roles make him a compelling figure in American football.
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