KNOW WHEN TO FOLD ’EM
Coughlin stayed too long, a luxury many coaches never get
Whether Tom Coughlin voluntarily submitted his resignation to New York Giants owners Monday, or did so only because they would have fired him otherwise, is beside the point.
He stayed on too long as head coach of one of the NFL’s signature franchises.
Probably two or three years too long, after he twice shocked North America with those long-shot Super Bowl victories in 2007 and 2011.
Most of his failed contemporaries this season would say Coughlin was beyond fortunate to have kept a job after playoffs-less finishes of 9-7, 7-9, 6-10 and 6-10 since 2012.
This season’s Black Monday carnage totalled six by early evening, fewer than in most years. The number might yet rise, however.
Four of the league’s five head coaches fired either before or after the regular season ended Sunday night never got as many as three full seasons to prove himself.
Philadelphia’s Chip Kelly? Two seasons, 15 games.
Cleveland’s Mike Pettine? Two full seasons.
Tennessee’s Ken Whisenhunt? One season, seven games.
San Francisco’s Jim Tomsula? One season.
Miami’s Joe Philbin lasted three seasons, four games — the lucky guy — before owner Stephen Ross gave him the boot in October, with a winning record further away than ever.
Coughlin shouldn’t be bitter, nor should his backers. The fact he is scheduled to hold a joint news conference Tuesday morning with John Mara and Steve Tisch — patriarchs of the Giants’ co-owning families — hopefully means he isn’t.
Coughlin probably only survived last season’s 6-10 record because of those two Lombardi Trophies.
Another 6-10 mark this year — which featured a slew of curious (at best) late-game coaching decisions by Coughlin that cost his team victories — made his departure all but a foregone conclusion by the time he met with Mara and Tisch.
The Giants broke the news of Coughlin’s resignation soon after that meeting.
“I informed them that it is in the best interest of the organization that I step down as head coach,” Coughlin said. “I strongly believe the time is right for me and my family, and as I said, the Giants organization.
“It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as head coach … This is not a sad occasion for me. I have spent 15 years with this organization, as an assistant and head coach, and was fortunate to be part of three Super Bowl-winning teams. A Lombardi Trophy every five years is an achievement in which we all take great pride.”
Giants fans might have long since soured on Coughlin, but he is a beloved figure both in the lockerroom and within the organization.
Players, to a man, on Monday spoke of their deep respect and love for him. Multiple reporters close to the team said they know of no players, even privately, who ever had anything bad to say about the 69-year-old.
Quarterback Eli Manning’s voice cracked Monday when he praised Coughlin and his close relationship with him. Manning said he and his teammates let Coughlin down.
In years to come, when we think of Eli Manning we’ll think of Coughlin and those Super Bowl wins, too. And vice versa. Neither would have won a championship without the other.
When Mara and Tisch speak fondly of Coughlin, we’ll know it’s from the heart. False flattery? There’ll be none of that.
Owners of teams that fired coaches, meantime, all released statements of polished prose, dripping with insincerity. Ya know, the billionaire — as well as his wife Candy — can’t say enough about Coach Failure’s work ethic, his dedication, his loyalty, his love of the city and his appreciation of the greatest sports fans in the world.
Despite, you know, only being here 11 months. Or 24 months. Or thereabouts. But we love him.