Tom Coughlin decides to step aside as coach of New York Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Tom Coughlin is out as head coach of the New York Giants after 12 seasons, according to a published report.

"I met with John Mara and Steve Tisch this afternoon and informed them that it is in the best interest of the organization that I step down as head coach. I strongly believe the time is right for me and my family, and as I said, the Giants organization."

The Giants announced that Coughlin, co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch, and general manager Jerry Reese will hold press conferences beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday. That would indicate that Reese will apparently keep his job.

The Giants concluded their second straight 6-10 season on Sunday. Since winning the Super Bowl in 2011, the Giants have missed the playoffs four straight seasons and have had three consecutive losing years.

After the 2014 season, Coughlin sounded like a man who wanted to coach forever, jokingly saying he would accept a 10-year contract extension if the Giants would offer him one. Yet another losing season, however, led the potential future Hall of Fame coach to have a change of heart.

Coughlin did have one season left on his contract.

A look back at his career

Coughlin's teams won two Super Bowls, three NFC East titles and made the playoffs five times in his 12 seasons. After making the playoffs every season from 2005-2008, the Giants have now missed the playoffs in six of the past seven seasons.

Coughlin, 69, has been Giants' coach since being named the successor to Jim Fassel on Jan. 6, 2004. He has a regular-season record of 102-90 with the Giants. He is 170-150 in 20 years as an NFL head coach. Coughlin was the first head coach of the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars, where he spent eight seasons.

Coughlin is 11th all-time in victories as a head coach. Ex-Giants coach Bill Parcells is 10th with 172. He is second in Giants' franchise history in coaching victories behind Steve Owen, who had 153. Both Parcells and Owen are in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Coughlin finished with an 8-3 playoff record with the Giants and is 12-7 in playoff games during his career. The eight postseason victories with the Giants ties Coughlin with Parcells for most in franchise history.

Who's next?

The Giants now have to begin a coaching search for the first time in 12 years. The choice could come from within as both offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo and defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would seem likely to get consideration. McAdoo is reportedly also a candidate for the vacant Philadelphia Eagles job. We recently discussed some of the potential candidates. Of course, that list of candidates is ever-changing based on what is happening with coach and general manager firings around the league.

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