I would like the NYG to hire Dawn Aponte to be President of Football operations

[MightyGiants]

If Mara wants to keep Schoen and potentially Daboll, I would feel a lot better if Mara hired a President of Football Operations to whom everyone, including Schoen, would report.

Dawn currently works for the NFL and I like the idea of the league being involved once again in fixing a broken franchise like they did back when they had the Giants hire George Young.

So who is Dawn Aponte?  Here is Russini's take:

If you've been keeping up with the buzz around the many expected general manager and coaching changes coming this offseason, you've seen the name Dawn Aponte, the NFL's chief football administrative officer, come up as a potential GM candidate. At first glance, some might assume her inclusion on these lists is about optics, a way for the NFL to demonstrate its commitment to diversity and women in leadership.

But make no mistake, her credentials are impressive, and the interest is real.

Teams are looking at Aponte as a potential GM or team president tasked with overseeing football operations. She's long been viewed in league circles as someone capable of taking on such a position. One league source described the value of Aponte as someone who would carry out ownership's vision while creating streamlined processes, forcing accountability, and aligning the organization at all levels. She doesn't have a scouting or personnel background but her leadership qualities and strategic mindset are what have some teams excited about her potential.

If she was hired, Aponte would focus on structure and alignment — two areas where struggling teams often fall short — while partnering with an experienced personnel executive to handle the roster-building side of things. It's a model that makes sense for teams needing a broader, big-picture approach to success. One coach who is interested in collaborating with Aponte texted: "She's a tough, no-nonsense leader with a better résumé and background in football than most of the men up for these jobs. This should be the year she gets a shot."

This wouldn't be new to Aponte; she's worked at the highest levels of the league, holding roles with the Jets, Dolphins, Browns and the NFL office, all jobs that required sharp decision-making, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of football operations. Last offseason she interviewed for the Chargers' GM position, which ultimately went to Joe Hortiz.

So why should Schoen report to Aponte?   Consider their credentials:


Education:

Schoen-  graduated from DePauw University in 2001 with a communications degree.

Aponte-  earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Delaware in accounting and passed the C.P.A. exam shortly after./ went on to receive a master's degree in Finance and Management from Wagner College while with the Jets in 1999/ earned a Juris Doctorate from New York Law School.

Aponte is also a member of the New York State Bar.


Experience:


Schoen

Carolina Panthers (2001)
Scouting assistant
Carolina Panthers (2002–2007)
Area scout
Miami Dolphins (2008–2012)
National scout
Miami Dolphins (2013)
Assistant director of college scouting
Miami Dolphins (2014–2016)
Director of player personnel
Buffalo Bills (2017–2021)
Assistant general manager
New York Giants (2022–present)
General manager

Aponte

New York Jets (1994–2001)
Accountant
New York Jets (2001–2003)
Salary cap analyst and pro personnel assistant
New York Jets (2003–2005)
Manager of football administration
New York Jets (2005)
Senior director of football administration
National Football League (2006–2008)
Vice president of labor finance
Cleveland Browns (2009–2010)
Vice president of football administration
Miami Dolphins (2010–2012)
Senior vice president of football operations
Miami Dolphins (2012–2016)
Executive vice president of football administration
National Football League (2017–present)
Chief administrator of football operations



I appreciate that it's unlikely that Mara would change the team so it has a chance for continued success, but one can only hope, and putting it out there certainly couldn't hurt


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5954240/2024/11/28/week-13-news-jared-goff-dawn-aponte-lions-giants-texans/

[Giant Jim]

No one from the league office was ever involved with running the Giants. Pete Rozelle stepped in late to settle a major dispute between Wellington and Tim Mara which resulted in both owners allowing the next GM to work without ownership interference. The only league employee that Rozelle suggested was Jan Van Duser and that was for the GM job and not to monitor the front office. He turned down the job. George Young was an employee of the Miami Dolphins and never worked for the league at that point.

No matter what position they create or who they hire, the Giants are never going to improve as long as John Mara is calling the shots being involved with the draft and free agency. 

They are currently run similar to how they were when Wellington Mara and Andy Robustelli were here.

[MightyGiants]

No one from the league office was ever involved with running the Giants. Pete Rozelle stepped in late to settle a major dispute between Wellington and Tim Mara which resulted in both owners allowing the next GM to work without ownership interference. The only league employee that Rozelle suggested was Jan Van Duser and that was for the GM job and not to monitor the front office. He turned down the job. George Young was an employee of the Miami Dolphins and never worked for the league at that point.

No matter what position they create or who they hire, the Giants are never going to improve as long as John Mara is calling the shots being involved with the draft and free agency. 

They are currently run similar to how they were when Wellington Mara and Andy Robustelli were here.

Jim,

I appreciate that my comparison was a loose one.

As for Mara, it's not Mara's involvement in operations that is the real issue.  It's Mara running the team like a mom-and-pop store with no accountability and no requirement for excellence that is the real issue, and it goes far beyond the visible areas of coaching and scouting.   There needs to be someone in charge with no family ties who will hold everyone accountable for doing a good job with no credit for having a blood relationship with the ownership.

The other reason I would like this move, is I don't think Schoen has what it takes to be a true leader of the team.  He doesn't have the strategic vision that is needed.   I think Aponte would help solve that issue, as she appears to be far more intelligent and accomplished than he is.

[Giant Obsession]

With those credentials the Democrats should have run her as a qualified candidate for President instead of......well, I have said enough.

On the surface and actually beyond the surface I would endorse her to lead our flagship franchise because status quo is just making the hole deeper.....and I have NEVER seen it this deep.

While I am ready to run screaming from our HC who is so far still way over his head after 3 seasons, perhaps a steadying non ownership hand could help Shoen over the learning curve.  We have had 3 difficult years of him as GM and he was thrust into a position totally fraught with landmines from the getgo.  It would be a shame to jettison that IF all that is needed is a steady mentor and boss to take him thru finishing school.  Finish his education and refine the rough edges.

We are at a moment of desperation, BUT I do not see hiring her as a desperate move, but rather one that will help us acquire a more level playing field for the future.

[T200]

No one from the league office was ever involved with running the Giants. Pete Rozelle stepped in late to settle a major dispute between Wellington and Tim Mara which resulted in both owners allowing the next GM to work without ownership interference. The only league employee that Rozelle suggested was Jan Van Duser and that was for the GM job and not to monitor the front office. He turned down the job. George Young was an employee of the Miami Dolphins and never worked for the league at that point.

No matter what position they create or who they hire, the Giants are never going to improve as long as John Mara is calling the shots being involved with the draft and free agency. 

They are currently run similar to how they were when Wellington Mara and Andy Robustelli were here.

That's the root of the problem. The fish rots from the head.

[kartanoman]

Jim,

I appreciate that my comparison was a loose one.

As for Mara, it's not Mara's involvement in operations that is the real issue.  It's Mara running the team like a mom-and-pop store with no accountability and no requirement for excellence that is the real issue, and it goes far beyond the visible areas of coaching and scouting.  There needs to be someone in charge with no family ties who will hold everyone accountable for doing a good job with no credit for having a blood relationship with the ownership.

The other reason I would like this move, is I don't think Schoen has what it takes to be a true leader of the team.  He doesn't have the strategic vision that is needed.  I think Aponte would help solve that issue, as she appears to be far more intelligent and accomplished than he is.

Good morning, Rich @MightyGiants .

You are thinking strategically on the same wavelength as I've advocated for such an individual to hold that type of role in the Giants' hierarchy.

Aponte has the knowledge base, intellectual and likely emotional intelligence to handle John Mara's insecurities that would allow him enough peace of mind to back away, such as his father did in 1979, and also provide not only the strategic framework to move the Giants out of the "family business" model but keep pieces of it (NOTE: if only to honor the legacy of the business), and allow each major organization to optimize to where they become "best in class" and are sought after for benchmarking by other teams in the league, as well as other professional teams in other football codes, and other sports in general.

I think keeping an eye out on Aponte's interest, by teams in the NFL, is worthwhile because the team who hires her has a chance to become the future of the league.

Thanks again for mentioning her today.

Peace!

[Giant Jim]

Jim,

I appreciate that my comparison was a loose one.

As for Mara, it's not Mara's involvement in operations that is the real issue.  It's Mara running the team like a mom-and-pop store with no accountability and no requirement for excellence that is the real issue, and it goes far beyond the visible areas of coaching and scouting.  There needs to be someone in charge with no family ties who will hold everyone accountable for doing a good job with no credit for having a blood relationship with the ownership.

The other reason I would like this move, is I don't think Schoen has what it takes to be a true leader of the team.  He doesn't have the strategic vision that is needed.  I think Aponte would help solve that issue, as she appears to be far more intelligent and accomplished than he is.

It's hard to find good people to run a team. GM's and head coaches are excellent examples. Aponte could be a good candidate for the position you want to create, but as long as John Mara is involved with player and coach decisions which includes all aspects of scouting, reporting, the cap and evaluating, it's going to be the same thing every year. Hanging on to players to be the face of the organization doesn't win games.

It took about 5 years for Wellington to run the team into the ground after his father died. It took John a little longer because he stayed away from Ernie Accorsi, but once Jerry Reese was in charge, it only took about 5 years again.

I see all the threads about firing or keeping Daboll or Schoen, drafting a QB, etc. None of it matters as long as Mara is involved and in charge of team related personal matters.

Right now, there's no reason to believe or trust John Mara to step back and allow qualified and experienced professional football people to run his team.

[Ed Vette]

Rich, I don't see how her experience translates into a position of President of Football Operations and to divide the responsibilities creates another position. She has some but not all of the requirements for the job. I don't know how that  Hierarchy would be outlined with a split of Football Operational responsibilities.

To become a President of Football Operations, candidates typically need a combination of education, professional experience, and leadership skills. Here are some common requirements:

### Educational Background:
1. **Degree**: A bachelor's degree in sports management, business administration, or a related field is often preferred. Many successful candidates also hold advanced degrees, such as an MBA.

### Professional Experience:
2. **Experience in Sports Management**: Candidates usually have extensive experience in sports management, often starting in entry-level positions and moving up through various roles in football operations or front office management.

3. **Understanding of the Game**: A deep knowledge of football, including strategies, player evaluation, and coaching philosophy, is crucial. Many Presidents have previous roles as coaches, scouts, or players.

4. **Leadership Roles**: Experience leading teams or departments is essential. This often includes roles such as General Manager, Director of Player Personnel, or similar positions where decision-making authority and strategic planning were key responsibilities.

5. **Negotiation Skills**: Experience with contract negotiations, salary cap management, and player acquisitions/drafts can set candidates apart.

6. **Crisis Management and Public Relations**: Experience managing public relations and handling crises effectively is increasingly important as team reputations can be significantly impacted by off-field issues.

### Additional Qualities:
7. **Strong Communication Skills**: The ability to communicate effectively with coaches, players, staff, and ownership is vital.

8. **Strategic Thinking**: A strong capacity for strategic planning and decision-making that aligns with the team's overall vision and goals.

9. **Networking Skills**: Building relationships within the league, among agents, and with other teams is beneficial for trade negotiations and scouting.

The President of Football Operations for an NFL team plays a crucial role in the organization, overseeing various aspects of the football side of the franchise. Here are some key responsibilities and the typical hierarchy associated with this position:

### Responsibilities of a President of Football Operations:

1. **Strategic Leadership**: The president sets the overall vision and strategy for the football operations, aligning it with the team's goals and long-term plans.

2. **Personnel Decisions**: This includes overseeing player personnel decisions, such as drafting, trading, and free-agent signings. The president often collaborates with the general manager (GM) to construct the roster.

3. **Coaching Oversight**: The president typically has a say in hiring and firing head coaches and other coaching staff. They work closely with the head coach to ensure alignment on the team's philosophy.

4. **Budget Management**: Managing the budget for player salaries, coaching staff, and other related expenses falls under their purview. This includes navigating the salary cap effectively.

5. **Player Development Policies**: Establishing policies and procedures for player development, including training camp, scouting, and performance evaluations.

6. **Collaboration with Other Departments**: Ensuring smooth collaboration between football operations and other departments (e.g., marketing, legal, and finance) to enhance the overall functioning of the team.

7. **Communication with Ownership**: Regularly updating ownership on team progress, player developments, and overall strategic direction.

8. **Crisis Management**: Addressing any off-field issues that may affect the team's reputation or performance.

### Typical Hierarchy:

1. **Owner**: At the top of the hierarchy is the team owner, who has the final say on major decisions.

2. **President of Football Operations**: Directly under the owner, responsible for all football-related activities.

3. **General Manager (GM)**: Often reports to the president. The GM manages day-to-day operations relating to player transactions, scouting, and contracts.

4. **Head Coach**: Works closely with both the president and the GM, primarily focusing on the coaching staff and game strategy.

5. **Scouting Department**: Responsible for evaluating talent at the college and professional levels. This department can include a director of college scouting, pro scouting, and player evaluation personnel.

6. **Coaching Staff**: Includes offensive, defensive, and special teams coaches, who execute the strategies set by the head coach.

7. **Player Personnel Staff**: Assists in managing roster decisions and player contracts.

This structure can vary slightly from team to team, but generally, the President of Football Operations plays a pivotal role in shaping the team's success through effective leadership and management of football operations.

(Research was through AI and Google search)

[Trench]

"streamlined processes, forcing accountability, and aligning the organization at all levels"...."big picture awareness etc"....

This is all front office speak. If you ask each team I am sure they would tell you this is already implemented. Who is to say it isn't?

This woman may be great and if so, hire her!...but I don't get excited about these flowery resumes and words like "strategic, streamline, big picture awareness", ...

I appreciate the thread and find it very interesting. I really enjoyed what Ed wrote as very insightful.

My feeling, These athletes are coddled and the agents have too much power as it is. Keep it simple still works. Nuts and bolts. Just win baby. It works. Someone said all our coaches have been offensive guys and maybe a return to defense is warranted. Interesting take.

[MightyGiants]

@Ed Vette I am not sure what box Aponte didn't check.

Education Accountant, MBA, CPA, plus lawyer

Experience


Aponte got her start in the league as an accountant intern with the New York Jets during college. She began working there full time in 1994, and then got promoted to salary cap analyst and pro personnel assistant in 2001. In 2003, she was promoted again to manager of football administration, the same year she earned a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School.

In 2005, Aponte was named Jets senior director of football administration. During her time with the Jets, she was able to learn from the likes of Mike Tannenbaum, Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick.

In 2006, Aponte went on to become vice president of labor finance for the NFL's management council. Three years later, she became vice president of football administration for the Cleveland Browns. She resigned from her Browns post and joined Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins in 2010 as the senior vice president of football operations before being promoted to executive vice president of football administration in 2012.

Dawn Aponte is in her seventh season as the NFL's Chief Football Administrative Officer, responsible for driving football operations objectives and initiatives related to the administrative and operational aspects of the game, as well as player health & safety initiatives and football development efforts at all levels of the sport.

In 2020, she played a critical role in leading the efforts and successful completion of the NFL season in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, serving as the primary liaison between the Football Operations team and key internal and external stakeholders, including Health and Safety personnel, club football staff and league broadcast partners.


About the only area, that Aponte may not have the experience and perhaps deep understanding is in the scouting area and if you retain Schoen (or hire another GM) that particular issue would be covered

[Ed Vette]

@Ed Vette I am not sure what box Aponte didn't check.

Education Accountant, MBA, CPA, plus lawyer

Experience


Aponte got her start in the league as an accountant intern with the New York Jets during college. She began working there full time in 1994, and then got promoted to salary cap analyst and pro personnel assistant in 2001. In 2003, she was promoted again to manager of football administration, the same year she earned a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School.

In 2005, Aponte was named Jets senior director of football administration. During her time with the Jets, she was able to learn from the likes of Mike Tannenbaum, Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick.

In 2006, Aponte went on to become vice president of labor finance for the NFL's management council. Three years later, she became vice president of football administration for the Cleveland Browns. She resigned from her Browns post and joined Bill Parcells and the Miami Dolphins in 2010 as the senior vice president of football operations before being promoted to executive vice president of football administration in 2012.

Dawn Aponte is in her seventh season as the NFL's Chief Football Administrative Officer, responsible for driving football operations objectives and initiatives related to the administrative and operational aspects of the game, as well as player health & safety initiatives and football development efforts at all levels of the sport.

In 2020, she played a critical role in leading the efforts and successful completion of the NFL season in the midst of the global COVID-19 pandemic, serving as the primary liaison between the Football Operations team and key internal and external stakeholders, including Health and Safety personnel, club football staff and league broadcast partners.


About the only area, that Aponte may not have the experience and perhaps deep understanding is in the scouting area and if you retain Schoen (or hire another GM) that particular issue would be covered

She's an administrator Rich and has no related experience having to do with actual Football knowledge.

I have an extensive business and leadership background from the grass roots on up and I know that I would be woefully inadequate in this position.

Every sportswriter, podcaster, former player and wannabe fan thinks they know better in how to run a multibillion dollar NFL Franchise. Very very few would have any success. You see, we have no accountability.

It would be nice to have a woman in a position of power in this league. If she's young enough, she can start out getting experience in player personnel and scouting. George Young had over three decades of experience as a scout, Director of Player Personnel and General Manager. Those would be prerequisites for this position.

[Painter]

As for what occurred 45 years ago with Rozelle's suggestion that the Maras accept George Young, a non-crony as GM, in an effort to settle the polls-apart dispute between co-owners Tim and Wellington, it isn't how things are now, so we can like whatever we wish, or simply accept the reality that the wind blew, the xxxx flew, and we couldn't see for an inch or two.

Cheers!

[MightyGiants]

This interview is two years old, but I think it gives you a sense of her

[MightyGiants]

She's an administrator Rich and has no related experience having to do with actual Football knowledge.

I have an extensive business and leadership background from the grass roots on up and I know that I would be woefully inadequate in this position.

Every sportswriter, podcaster, former player and wannabe fan thinks they know better in how to run a multibillion dollar NFL Franchise. Very very few would have any success. You see, we have no accountability.

It would be nice to have a woman in a position of power in this league. If she's young enough, she can start out getting experience in player personnel and scouting. George Young had over three decades of experience as a scout, Director of Player Personnel and General Manager. Those would be prerequisites for this position.

Ed,

The Chargers interviewed her last year for a GM job, and the Jets are interviewing her this year.

I won't argue that she doesn't have a strong scouting or coaching background, but that is why the team would still retain a GM.   What she does bring is an intimate knowledge of how the NFL and how NFL teams work (along with an impressive resume). 

Consider the GM of the Steelers (a well run organization)


As an executive:
New Orleans Saints (1997–2001)
Football operations
Pittsburgh Steelers (2001–2011)
Football administration coordinator
Pittsburgh Steelers (2011–2016)
Director of football administration
Pittsburgh Steelers (2016–2021)
Vice president of football & business administration
Pittsburgh Steelers (2022–present)
General manager


That is very similar to Aponte's resume

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Khan_(American_football)

[Ed Vette]

Ed,

The Chargers interviewed her last year for a GM job, and the Jets are interviewing her this year.

I won't argue that she doesn't have a strong scouting or coaching background, but that is why the team would still retain a GM.   What she does bring is an intimate knowledge of how the NFL and how NFL teams work (along with an impressive resume). 

Consider the GM of the Steelers (a well run organization)


As an executive:
New Orleans Saints (1997–2001)
Football operations
Pittsburgh Steelers (2001–2011)
Football administration coordinator
Pittsburgh Steelers (2011–2016)
Director of football administration
Pittsburgh Steelers (2016–2021)
Vice president of football & business administration
Pittsburgh Steelers (2022–present)
General manager


That is very similar to Aponte's resume

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Khan_(American_football)

He worked along side of Kevin Colbert the Steeler GM for 20 TWENTY YEARS. It took him 22 years to become the GM. Did you not see that or did you decide to omit it?