The New York Giants and Tom Coughlin are parting ways after yet another disappointing season. (Getty)
It’s all over.
After reports emerged on Monday morning that Tom Coughlin met with New York Giants team owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, the news became official; Coughlin is out.
The veteran coach had been with Big Blue since the start of the 2004 season, the same Eli Manning entered the NFL. In that time he led the Giants to two improbable Super Bowl victories over the New England Patriots, but failed to record a winning season in three straight years.
A Giant Career #ThanksTC
Now, the Giants turn their attention to the coaching market, looking for a brand-new face to lead the team next season. Here’s everything you need to know about the team’s breakup with Coughlin:
1. Reports Emerged Last Week That Coughlin Would Resign
Tom Coughlin’s future on the Giants sideline was murky before the 2015 season even began. (Getty)
Both Jay Glazer and Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reported late last week, before the Giants loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 17, that Coughlin was expected to “ride off in the sunset.”
Garafolo added to the speculation pool on Friday during an appearance on “The Herd” with Colin Cowherd, saying:
This is a different Tom Coughlin, and I think he’s ready to move away. A lot of people are talking as if it’s an inevitability that on Monday he is going to resign. I am hearing that from a lot of people.
It all became official on Monday afternoon when the team announced that Coughlin had stepped down. The veteran coach released a statement through the New York Giants website. It, partially, read:
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as head coach of the New York Football Giants. This is a 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. “Finally, I would be remiss if I did not thank my wife Judy and our four children and their spouses and our 11 (soon to be 12) grandchildren. None of this would have been possible without their unconditional love and support.
2. Coughlin Spent 12 Seasons with the Giants
In his 12 years on the New York sidelines, Coughlin won two Super Bowls and three division titles. He led the team to the postseason five times and posted a 110-92 record, including playoff games
However, the last time the Giants made the playoffs was in 2011; the second time they defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl. That stretch of disappointment was enough to spark rumors of Coughlin’s impending departure long before the 2015-16 season even began. Prior to joining the Giants, Coughlin had coached the Jacksonville Jaguars and, including his time in the AFC, he is 182-156 as an NFL head coach. His regular-season win total of 170 ranks 12th in NFL history.
New York wrapped up the season this year with a 6-10 record, a particularly painful showing that include final-second losses to the playoff-bound New England Patriots and Carolina Panthers.
3. Giants Ownership Was Reportedly Split on Coughlin’s Future
John Mara, pictured with Coughlin after the ’08 Super Bowl win, was reportedly intent on keeping the coach. (Getty)
While many assumed that Coughlin’s future was all but set after yet another losing season this year, Pro Football Talk reported otherwise on Sunday evening.
Mike Florio suggested that co-owner Steve Tisch was interested in moving on with a new coach, while fellow owner John Mara wanted to keep Coughlin on the sidelines. According to ESPN, the Giants have scheduled a press conference at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday to address Coughlin’s departure from the team.
4. Coughlin Had One More Year on His Contract
Despite the split, Coughlin still had one more year on his contract with the New York Giants. In fact, the team had signed him to an extension in March of 2015. Although the financial terms were not immediately announced when Coughlin inked his name, the New York Post reported that the extension was in line with his 2015 salary of $7 million.
The extension kept Coughlin, the oldest coach in the entire NFL, under contract through the 2016 season.
5. Giants Players Were Supportive of Coughlin Throughout the Season
The New York Giants players were some of Coughlin’s biggest supporters this year. (Getty)
Despite the up-and-down nature of the season, Coughlin never lost his players. In fact, it was those same Giants players who were some of Coughlin’s biggest supporters down the stretch.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara told the New York Post:
It was kind of like a subliminal message. We know who we’re playing this game for, so let’s finish. And we didn’t finish. I’m sure everyone feels like they let that person down.
When asked about his possible future with the team on Sunday evening, Coughlin would not even address the speculation. “I’m not going to answer anything about that,” he said. “The season just ended.”
Eli Manning was noticeably emotional about Coughlin’s future when he met with the media on Monday. Although the quarterback said he was, at the time, unaware of the decision, he made sure to point out how much Coughlin had meant to him throughout his career. “He has been a great coach to play for,” Manning said. “Learned so much from him from an early age when I got here to every year. Just to meet with him and talk football and X’s and O’s and strategy … he has a great football mind and loves what he does, has great passion. He is an example of how you should handle your job and love what you are doing.”