New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin stepping down after 12 seasons

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The Tom Coughlin era in New York is over.

The 69-year-old head coach met with Giants co-owners Steve Tisch and John Mara on Monday afternoon, and informed them that he is stepping down as the team's head coach.

"I met with John Mara and Steve Tisch 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 released by the team.

Coughlin, who served three years as an assistant coach under Hall of Famer Bill Parcells in addition to his 12 seasons as the head coach, was part of three Super Bowl championships, two of which came in a span of five years in his tenure as head coach.

Since winning his last championship in 2011, Coughlin's teams have deteriorated, largely due to injuries and some personnel decisions that haven't panned out, particularly in the second and third rounds of the last several drafts.

Still, ever the loyal employee, Coughlin, who finished his Giants career with a 102-90 record in the regular season and 8-3 in the postseason, conducted himself with class. He never pointed fingers and was as quick to put the blame on himself when the Giants lost as he was in pushing the blame away from him and to the players when they won.

"Obviously, the past three years have not been what any of us expect, and as head coach, I accept the responsibility for those seasons," he said.

"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."

Even as things started to deteriorate, Coughlin, whose 12 years makes him the second longest tenured head coach in franchise history behind Steve Owen (1930-53), continued to hold his players to high standards from everything to how they dressed on the field to what they wore to away games. He famously instituted "Coughlin Time" around the facility, a practice in which clocks are set five minutes ahead so that players and staff were in their seats early and ready to go for meetings.

"I think it has been evident these last 12 years here how much pride I take in representing this franchise. I am gratified and proud that we were able to deliver two more Lombardi trophies to the display case in our lobby during that time. That is a tribute to our players and staff, and it was truly fulfilling to be the leader of those teams."

According to a source familiar with the coach's thinking, he is not yet ready to retire from football despite the grueling toll that the losing had on him. The source said that Coughlin has not ruled out accepting a new position if one should become available that was right for him.

"I appreciate the support of John and his family and Steve and his family, and of Jerry Reese and his staff," Coughlin said. "I think our organization is a great representation of what I mean when I talk about 'team'."

Coughlin was hired in January 2004 by then owners Wellington Mara and Bob Tisch, the fathers of John and Steve respectively.

"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 a statement released by the team. "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."

"On behalf of my family, I want to thank Coach Coughlin for how he has represented our franchise for the past 12 years," added Tisch. "He embodies the beliefs of this organization and everything the New York Giants stand for. I respect his decision, and while I appreciate Tom's perspective and attitude, at the same time, I am a bit saddened today because we are losing a man who is just as good a person as he is a coach. He is a Hall of Famer in every regard."

General manager Jerry Reese, who as promoted in 2007, three years into Coughlin's tenure, also expressed gratitude for Coughlin in a team-issued statement.

Reese became the general manager in 2007, following the retirement of Ernie Accorsi. In their first season together, Coughlin and Reese won the Super Bowl.

"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."

Mara, Tisch, Coughlin and Reese will meet with the media at 10:30 a.m. ET on Tuesday.