Bill Belichick Praises Tom Coughlin After Giants Head Coach Steps Down

However, Mara insisted it was time for a change despite his high regard and debt of thanks to Coughlin.

Giants CEO and co-owner John Mara had the unenviable role of following Coughlin at the podium and expressed his own gratitude for his former coach. But I still believe that Jerry Reese is the right guy to lead us going forward. We’ve been friends a long time, and I’m sad, but I’m happy because it’s a new adventure.

Tom Coughlin and the New York Giants parted ways after 12 seasons but he says he may not be done with coaching. Coughlin made a decision to start Manning beginning in the team’s tenth game.

Coughlin has been on the verge of firing several times, but survived and stayed with the team all 12 years.

Coughlin also gave Manning a pep talk with the Giants passer facing the possibility of learning a third offence in four seasons unless the team hires offensive co-ordinator Ben McAdoo. While with the Giants, Coughlin enjoyed quick success, making the playoffs in his second through fifth years. But while no one can know what was going on in Coughlin’s head during his brief encounter with Mara, the interaction (or lack thereof) sure looks like a snub.

It’s not hard to understand why the Giants job would be the most intriguing option for head coaches.

A graduate of Syracuse, and a coach for the Orange in the 70’s, Coughlin entered the National Football League as a wide receivers coach for the Eagles in 1984. They lost 8 of those games by a total of 26 points.

“Obviously, the past three years have not been what any of us expect, and as head coach, I accept the responsibility for those seasons”, Coughlin said. He established a players’ leadership committee and morphed into a more accessible leader who helped his teams bond.

“Tom’s had a great career as a head coach and as an assistant coach – BC [Boston College], Jacksonville, New York”, Belichick said about Coughlin’s coaching ability.

“Eli, it’s not you, it’s not you”, Coughlin said to Manning.

“He definitely has not failed these players”, Manning said. He’s a great example of how you should do your job. And sometimes we get off of our own volition, and other times they ask us to get off. And that’s true for players and coaches, owners and everybody who’s associated with the NFL.