Coughlin calls it quits with Giants
Legendary coach pulls the plug after 12 years
With the New York Giants facing a difficult decision on his coaching future after four straight years out of the playoffs, Tom Coughlin walked away gracefully, on his own terms.
The Giants gave him 12 years to run one of the NFL’s flagship organizations. He delivered two Super Bowls and, for a time, restored the franchise to the league’s elite.
It was mutually beneficial — as was his departure on Monday when the 69-yearold Coughlin resigned rather than force co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch to fire him.
The Giants announced the decision one day after the Giants (6-10) capped their third straight losing season with a 35-30 loss to Philadelphia, their third in a row and sixth in seven games.
“I met with (owners) John and Steve this afternoon, and I informed them that it is in the best interest of the organization that I step down as head coach,” Coughlin said in a statement. “I strongly believe the time is right for me, my family and the Giants organization.”
The move could signal the end of a 20-year NFL head coaching career for Coughlin, one of 13 bench bosses to win multiple Super Bowls. But maybe not. Coughlin loves to coach and if the right job becomes available, who knows?
“It is difficult to come up with words adequate to describe the appreciation we have for everything Tom Coughlin has done for our franchise,” Mara said.
“In addition to delivering two Super Bowl titles, Tom represented us with class and dignity and restored the pride to our entire organization.
“He has all the qualities you could ever ask for in a head coach and set very high standards for whoever will succeed him.”
The league’s oldest active coach and third-longest tenured among the 32 who finished the season, Coughlin came into 2015 knowing he had to get the Giants back to the postseason to keep his job.
It didn’t happen — mostly because the Giants lost six games either in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime.
“Obviously, the past three years have not been what any of us expect, and as head coach I accept the responsibility,” he said.
Where the Giants go from here is uncertain. They have traditionally hired from within or gotten someone with NFL coaching experience. A college coach would be a reach, especially a high-profile one who would want too much control.
Former Atlanta Falcons coach Mike Smith might be an option, and there are a lot of offensive and defensive coordinators around the league who are potential candidates.
Coughlin’s future was the main topic as players cleaned out their lockers on Monday. The coach addressed the team earlier in the morning and many were saddened by the thought he won’t be back.
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life and career to be led by Tom Coughlin; my life will forever be changed,” kicker Josh Brown tweeted after the resignation.
This might have been one of Coughlin’s best years as a coach. He did not have a strong roster, and his defense spent the first two months with end Jason Pierre-Paul sidelined by a July 4 fireworks mishap that mangled his right hand.
Coughlin posted a 110-93 record in 12 seasons with the Giants, winning three division titles in addition to his two league crowns.
He was 72-64 in eight seasons with the then-expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, winning two division titles and taking them to two conference championship games in their first five seasons.
Ernie Accorsi and Mara hired Coughlin in 2004 after Jim Fassel was fired.
“Tom Coughlin is a great coach and an even better man,” Accorsi said.
“He has left his mark on this great franchise, and his legacy of excellence is secure.”
A no-nonsense coach, Coughlin vowed to restore Giants pride — and it did not take long.
New York won the division the following season and shocked the football world by knocking off the then-undefeated New England Patriots in the Super Bowl in February 2008.
The second Super Bowl championship came after the 2011 season, also against the Patriots.