His players — judging from their heartfelt words and Eli Manning’s teary eyes — would not agree, but early Monday afternoon, Tom Coughlin stressed: “This is not a sad occasion for me.’’
Befitting his direct style, Coughlin after his final team meeting met with co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch and “informed them that it is in the best interest of the organization that I step down as head coach.’’
This was the expected course of action, as Coughlin made it easy on ownership by resigning with one year remaining on his contract, one day after the Giants finished 6-10 for the second straight season, putting the playoff-less streak at four consecutive years. It nevertheless was a stunning turn of events, as Coughlin, 69, was on the scene for 12 years, produced two Super Bowl victories for the franchise and is a likely future inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Coughlin did not wait for the owners to inform him what their decision was to be — they were in favor of a change — and in a statement declared: “I strongly believe this is the right time for me and my family and the Giants organization.’’
Interestingly, Coughlin did not mention a word about retirement, and there are indications he would listen to coaching or front-office opportunities if any present themselves.
Tisch, Mara and general manager Jerry Reese also released statements ahead of the trio joining Coughlin for a press conference Tuesday morning.
“I am a bit saddened today because we are losing a man who is just as good a person as he is a coach,’’ Tisch said.
“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.”
Succeeding Tom Coughlin will not be easy, and replacing him is a crucial move for Mara and Jerry Reese, the general manager who returns despite a deterioration of the talent level on the roster. Offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo will be considered and the Giants must work quickly, as there are multiple openings throughout the NFL and teams are already lining up candidates for interviews. This will be the first head coach hiring Reese will participate in since he became general manager in 2007.
“My years with coach Coughlin have been an amazing opportunity to work with one on the best coaches the NFL has seen and one of the best people that I’ve met in my lifetime,” Reese said. “The GM/Coach relationship is of the utmost importance in this business, and I’m grateful for the relationship we had.”
Coughlin in the morning met with his players for the final time, telling them he was proud of their effort this season. Although Coughlin did not inform the players of his intentions, there was an air of finality inside the locker room as players packed up and went their separate ways.
Manning, working alongside Coughlin every step of the past 12 years, showed more emotion than at any previous time in his career when speaking of Coughlin.
“I feel that we as players, we failed him by not playing to the level that we could,’’ Manning said before the formal announcement.
“He’s definitely a great leader, kind of like a father figure, a disciplinarian,’’ said Barry Cofield, who played for Coughlin from 2006-2010 and returned this season as a backup defensive tackle. “When I was young, I didn’t get it. Now that I come back I really get the benefit he had in my career and my life.’’
Coughlin was 102-90 in the regular season with the Giants and made his mark in the postseason, going 8-3 with an upset victory over the Patriots in Super Bowl XLII and again in Super Bowl XLVI. In 12 years, Coughlin’s teams made it to the playoffs five times and won three NFC East titles.
The golden touch turned to stone the past few years and this season was particularly agonizing, with eight losses by six of fewer points.
Coughlin called it “an honor and a privilege to serve as head coach of the New York Football Giants,’’ but added “Obviously, the past three years have not been what any of us expect, and as head coach, I accept the responsibility for those seasons.’’
Despite the losing, there was not a hint of dissent among the players or between Coughlin and a front office that failed to restock the roster with adequate talent.
“I think our organization is a great representation of what I mean when I talk about ‘team,’ ’’ Coughlin said.
Manning, though clearly saddened by the news, said he’s looking forward to what comes next.
“It’ll be a new chapter having a new head coach but it can still be an exciting one,” he said on WFAN. “It’s part of the journey.’’