JOE PHILBIN PASSES ON GIANTS, JOINS COLTS…
Former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Joe Philbin has reportedly passed on an offer to join Head Coach Ben McAdoo’s staff. Instead, Philbin is now the new assistant head coach and offensive line coach of the Indianapolis Colts.
On Philbin, told he had interest from a few places, considered NYG heavily but never committed. Interviewed w/ Colts and opted for that gig.
WIDE RECEIVERS COACH SEAN RYAN JOINS TEXANS…
New York Giants Wide Receivers Coach Sean Ryan has left the team to become the new wide receivers coach of the Houston Texans. Ryan joined the Giants’ staff in 2007 and served as offensive quality control coach (2007-2009), quarterbacks coach (2012-2013), and wide receivers coach (2010-2011, 2014-2015).
ASSISTANT SPECIAL TEAMS COACH LARRY IZZO JOINS TEXANS…
New York Giants Assistant Special Teams Coach Larry Izzo has left the team to become the new special teams coordinator of the Houston Texans. Izzo joined the Giants’ staff in 2011.
BEN MCADOO OFFICIALLY NAMED NEW YORK GIANTS HEAD COACH…
The New York Giants officially announced by press release on Thursday that Ben McAdoo will be the team’s new head coach. McAdoo’s introductory press conference will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. McAdoo has served for the past two seasons as the Giants’ offensive coordinator under Tom Coughlin.
“I am honored to serve as the 17th head coach* in the history of the New York Giants franchise,” McAdoo said. “I am thankful to the Mara family, the Tisch family and Jerry Reese for this opportunity. I am appreciative of the support of my family, my wife Toni and our two children and my parents, brother and sister and in-laws back in Homer City, Pennsylvania. I have been very fortunate to have a lot of great coaches, administrators and players take an interest in me and my career. It has been a privilege to work and learn under Coach Coughlin.
“I have been preparing for this moment my entire professional life, and without the guidance and support of many people, I would not be here right now.”
According to the Giants’ press release, McAdoo interviewed with team President/CEO John Mara and General Manager Jerry Reese on January 5th and again on Wednesday. At the latter meeting, McAdoo also spoke with team Chairman/Executive Vice President Steve Tisch and Treasurer Jonathan Tisch.
“Ben is an outstanding young coach who has great experience and has done a good job as our offensive coordinator these past two years,” Mara said. “Jerry and I interviewed six impressive candidates, and when we were through with that process, we had another conversation with Ben, as did Steve and Jon Tisch. We were all impressed with his energy, his enthusiasm, his vision and his desire. Ben has been preparing for this opportunity since he started coaching, and he has earned his stripes every step of the way. Some have suggested he may not be ready, and as I said last week, we want a coach who feels like he has something to prove.”
“I am happy for Ben and happy for our franchise,” Steve Tisch said. “When I spoke to Ben with my brother Jon, we were both impressed with his understanding of what it means to lead, his thoughts on how to build and establish a sense of team and how to motivate the individual and the group. Ben’s mentors in coaching, including Tom Coughlin, are impressive. We look forward to much success under Ben’s leadership.”
Also according to the Giants’ press release: “McAdoo and Reese will collaborate with the team’s personnel departments in reshaping the Giants’ roster.”
“Ben is very excited, and I’m very excited and happy for him,” Reese said. “We are looking forward to working closely together, and can’t wait to get moving with the offseason.”
“I look forward to working with Jerry,” McAdoo said. “We have a lot of work to do, and it will take a collaborative effort for Jerry and I to achieve what is always the goal for this franchise: another Lombardi Trophy.”
“I’m excited,” said quarterback Eli Manning. “I’m excited for the Giants organization and for the team. I think Coach McAdoo is a great coach, a great teacher, and will be a great leader of this team. I’m excited to continue to work with him and grow within this offense, and get this organization back where it needs to be.
“I think the Giants ownership made this decision on what’s best for the organization and best for the team. I think Coach McAdoo has great leadership skills, and will do a great job being a head coach and leading us in the right direction. If a new offensive scheme came in, I would’ve adjusted to it and been able to go out there and play at a high level. I enjoy this offense, I enjoy working with Coach McAdoo. I’m excited about that staying the same.”
* Ben McAdoo is actually the team’s 18th head coach in their history, but the Giants do not appear to count Benny Friedman’s two games in 1930.
REPORT – MIKE SULLIVAN TO BE OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR…
Contrary to their original report, FOXSports is now reporting that New York Giants Quarterback Coach Mike Sullivan will be the team’s new offensive coordinator. FOXSports had reported on Wednesday that former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Joe Philbin would assume that role. Apparently, Philbin will still join the Giants in some capacity, possibly as an assistant head coach who also works with the quarterbacks.
NJ.com is reporting that McAdoo is still expected to call the plays even though he is now the team’s head coach.
Sullivan served as Head Coach Tom Coughlin’s wide receiver (2004-2009) and quarterbacks coach (2010-2011, 2015). He was the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2012-2013.
Giants expected to promote QB coach Mike Sullivan to offensive coordinator, sources say. Joe Philbin to have a different title (Asst HC?).
GIANTS POSITION COACHES INTERVIEWING ELSEWHERE…
Although most – if not all – of the New York Giants’ assistant coaches have one year remaining on their contracts, the team has apparently given permission to some of them to interview elsewhere.
Wide Receivers Coach Sean Ryan has interviewed with the Houston Texans for the same position.
Offensive Line Coach Pat Flaherty has interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts and Minnesota Vikings for the same position.
Linebackers Coach Jim Herrmann has interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts for the same position. The Colts hired Herrmann on Wednesday.
Safeties Coach David Merritt has interviewed with the Indianapolis Colts.
TOM COUGHLIN TURNS DOWN EAGLES…
According to multiple press reports, Tom Coughlin has removed his name from consideration for the Philadelphia Eagles’ head coaching vacancy. Coughlin resigned as head coach of the Giants last week. Coughlin also interviewed with the San Francisco 49ers, but the 49ers have hired Chip Kelly as their new head coach.
Sources say Coughlin could have had Eagles job, but withdrew because the core of his staff is under contract to NYG and staying with McAdoo
(The Hue Jackson interview has reportedly been moved up to Wednesday now).
GIANTS TO INTERVIEW HUE JACKSON ON WEDNESDAY…
According to multiple press reports, the New York Giants will interview Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson on Wednesday for the team’s vacant head coaching position. All New York Giants coaching interviews have been jointly conducted by team President/CEO John Mara and Senior Vice President/General Manager Jerry Reese.
#Bengals OC Hue Jackson will fly to NY tomorrow for his interview w/ #Giants. They are serious about him or he wouldn't be going.
The 50-year old Jackson was interviewed by the San Francisco 49ers and Cleveland Browns on Sunday for their head coaching vacancies. The Browns are said to be very serious contenders for his services but the 49ers interest has apparently waned.
As previously reported, the Giants have already interviewed the following six candidates:
38-year old New York Giants Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo, who interviewed on January 5th. McAdoo has also interviewed with the Eagles.
56-year old New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who interviewed on January 7th.
50-year old Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, who interviewed on January 7th. Austin has also interviewed with the Browns.
37-year old Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase, who interviewed on January 8th, but was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their new head coach the following day.
51-year old Jacksonville Jaguars Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach Doug Marrone, who interviewed on January 9th. Marrone has also interviewed with the Browns.
56-year old former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith, who interviewed on January 11th.
PAT FLAHERTY INTERVIEWS WITH VIKINGS… FOXSports is reporting that New York Giants Offensive Line Coach Pat Flaherty interviewed with the Minnesota Vikings on Tuesday for their vacant offensive line coach position. The Indianapolis Colts have also expressed interest in Flaherty and he may have interviewed with the Colts last week. Since Flaherty is still under contract with the Giants, teams must receive the Giants permission to interview him.
JIM HERRMANN INTERVIEWS WITH COLTS… FOXSports is reporting that New York Giants Linebackers Coach Jim Herrmann is interviewing with the Indianapolis Colts for their vacant linebacker coach position. Since Herrmann is still under contract with the Giants, teams must receive the Giants permission to interview him.
49ERS INTERVIEW TOM COUGHLIN…
According to multiple press reports, the San Francisco 49ers interviewed Tom Coughlin on Tuesday for their head coaching vacancy. Coughlin resigned as the Giants head coach last week. He interviewed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday. Since Coughlin still has one year on his contract with the Giants, other teams must receive permission from the Giants to interview him.
REPORT – BEN MCADOO AND DOUG MARRONE EARLY FAVORITES… According to The New York Daily News, New York Giants Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo and Jacksonville Jaguars Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach Doug Marrone are the early favorites to become the next head coach of the New York Giants. McAdoo interviewed with the Giants on Tuesday and Marrone on Saturday.
The Daily News says that New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin are not likely to receive “serious consideration for the job.” Both interviewed with the Giants last Thursday.
The Giants will interview former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith, who will interview on Monday.
The Giants also interviewed Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase on Friday but he was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their next year head coach on Saturday. NJ.com and The Daily News reported that the Giants were also interested in Cincinnati Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson, but he is reportedly on the verge of being hired by the San Francisco 49ers as their next head coach.
All interviews have been conducted by team President/CEO John Mara and Senior Vice President/General Manager Jerry Reese.
"I’m told Giants are searching for a proven head coach which right now in this climate of candidates really limits their options." @RapSheet
GIANTS TO INTERVIEW MIKE SMITH ON MONDAY…
According to multiple press reports, the New York Giants will interview former Atlanta Falcons Head Coach Mike Smith on Monday. The 56-yeard old Smith coached the Falcons from 2008-2014, compiling a 66-46 regular season record and a 1-4 playoff record. Smith was out of football in 2015.
As reported previously, other candidates include:
38-year old New York Giants Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo, who interviewed on Tuesday. McAdoo has also interviewed with the Eagles.
56-year old New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who interviewed on Thursday.
50-year old Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, who interviewed on Thursday. Austin has also interviewed with the Browns.
37-year old Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase, who interviewed on Friday, but was hired by the Miami Dolphins as their new head coach on Saturday.
51-year old Jacksonville Jaguars Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach Doug Marrone, who interviewed on Saturday. Marrone has also interviewed with the Eagles and Browns. There are conflicting media reports on whether or not Marrone would accept McAdoo as his offensive coordinator. The New York Post is reporting that Marrone would keep McAdoo as his offensive coordinator and hire Jim Schwartz as his defensive coordinator. NJ.com says one source said Marrone would “never” keep McAdoo.
All interviews have been conducted by team President/CEO John Mara and Senior Vice President/General Manager Jerry Reese.
He turned the Syracuse program around in the 4 years that I was there. Great coach. https://t.co/aRAErk9r8D
GIANTS ASSISTANT COACHES STILL UNDER CONTRACT… According to NJ.com, all of the New York Giants assistant coaches are still under contract and have one more year left on their existing deals. NJ.com reports that these coaches “have been allowed to loosely inquire about outside opportunities, but teams still need to ask for permission to have an official interview.”
TOM COUGHLIN TO INTERVIEW WITH EAGLES ON MONDAY…
According to multiple press reports, former New York Giants Head Coach Tom Coughlin will interview with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday for their head coaching vacancy. Coughlin officially resigned from the Giants on Tuesday. Since Coughlin has one year left on his contract with the Giants, the team had the ability to block the interview but apparently chose not to do so.
The New York Post is reporting that multiple teams have expressed interest in Coughlin, including for front office positions. At Coughlin’s press conference on Tuesday, New York Giants President/CEO John Mara indicated that the team would like Coughlin to remain with Giants in some capacity.
JOHN MARA ON ESPN RADIO…
The audio of Friday’s ESPN Radio interview with New York Giants President/CEO John Mara is available at ESPN.com.
DOLPHINS HIRE ADAM GASE…
The Miami Dolphins have hired Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase as the team’s new head coach. Gase interviewed with the Giants on Friday for their head coaching vacancy as well.
STATUS OF GIANTS HEAD COACHING SEARCH…
With Adam Gase now out of the picture, these are the remaining coaches the New York Giants have expressed interest in their search for a new head coach:
38-year old New York Giants Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo, who interviewed on Tuesday.
56-year old New York Giants Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who interviewed on Thursday.
50-year old Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin, who interviewed on Thursday.
51-year old Jacksonville Jaguars Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach Doug Marrone, who interviews on Saturday.
“We want to make sure we get the right guy,” said Giants President/CEO John Mara on Friday. “There’s always an advantage to try to do it sooner rather than later. There are a lot of assistant coaches out there who are looking for jobs, and you have the chance to get the best ones if you do it sooner. But it’s more important for us to take our time and get the right guy… There’s no specific timetable, but I’m always cognizant of what other teams are doing. I’d like to get it done soon, but not at the expense of finding the right guy.”
KEVIN ABRAMS APPEARS SAFE…
As previously reported, New York Giants Assistant General Manager Kevin Abrams interviewed with the Detroit Lions for their general manager vacancy. Abrams is the salary cap expert for the Giants. However, the Lions have hired New England Patriots Director of Pro Scouting Bob Quinn for the position. Former New York Giants General Manager Ernie Accorsi (1998-2007) is serving as a consultant for the Lions and he has ties to Abrams.
PAT FLAHERTY INTERVIEWING WITH COLTS… FOXSports is reporting that New York Giants Offensive Line Coach Pat Flaherty is interviewing with the Indianapolis Colts for their offensive line coach vacancy.
JON BEASON TO HAVE KNEE SURGERY, MAY RETIRE…
Injury-prone New York Giants linebacker Jon Beason revealed on Friday that he needs offseason knee surgery, and depending on how his body responds, may retire from the NFL. Beason. The Giants placed Beason on season-ending Injured Reserve in November with ankle and knee injuries. He played in just five games in 2015 and finished the season with only 18 tackles. Beason’s 2014 NFL season was basically wiped out due to a ligament tear and fracture to the sesamoid bone in his right foot during an OTA practice in June. He ended up playing in only four games in 2014 and finished the season with just 11 tackles. He has not played in more than five games in four of the last five seasons due to various injuries.
“You go through the rehab process and you get back out there and you run around and you decide, ‘Hey, I can still be who I once was.’ If I can’t then it will be time for me to hang it up,” said Beason.
Beason has one year left on his current contract with the Giants worth $2.8 million in salary. But his salary cap hit is far higher – estimated in the $6 million range. Thus, there is a good chance the Giants will part ways with him regardless of how he recovers this offseason.
THE LATEST ON THE GIANTS HEAD COACHING SEARCH…
Here is the latest on the New York Giants search for a new head coach:
NJ.com reports that the Giants interviewed Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo on Tuesday. The New York Post reports that the interview went “very well.” McAdoo will also reportedly interview with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.
CBS Sports reports that the Giants will interview Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo on Thursday.
According to FOXSports, the Giants will meet with Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase on Friday. Gase interviewed with the Eagles for their head coaching vacancy on Tuesday and will reportedly meet with the Eagles again this weekend. The Browns and Dolphins are also said to be interested in Gase.
NFL.com reports that Jacksonville Jaguars Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line Coach Doug Marrone will interview with the Giants on Saturday. The Eagles, Dolphins, and Browns are also said to be interested in Marrone.
The New York Daily News reports the Giants plan to interview Carolina Panthers Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott, but The New York Post reports that meeting has not yet been set up. Since the Panthers have a playoff bye, the Giants are allowed to interview McDermott this week, but not next week.
The New York Daily News reports that the Giants are “considering” interviewing Cincinnati Bengals Offensive Coordinator Hue Jackson. But Jackson is not currently allowed to interview with other teams this week because the Bengals play this weekend.
There have been some press reports linking New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton with the Giants, but the Saints have announced that Payton is remaining with the team.
KEVIN ABRAMS TO INTERVIEW WITH LIONS…
As previously reported, New York Giants Assistant General Manager Kevin Abrams will reportedly interview with the Detroit Lions for their general manager vacancy. Former New York Giants General Manager Ernie Accorsi (1998-2007) is serving as a consultant for the Lions and he has ties to Abrams.
MARA, REESE, AND COUGHLIN ADDRESS THE MEDIA…
New York Giants team officials, including President/CEO John Mara, General Manager Jerry Reese, and departing Head Coach Tom Coughlin, addressed the media on Tuesday morning. Transcripts and video clips are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:
One key item to note is that the Giants have offered Coughlin a position within the organization. “I asked him would he consider staying on in some capacity,” said Mara. “I don’t want to let all that knowledge walk out the door. I asked him to think about over the next few days ways that he might be able to help us going forward. He agreed to do that. I don’t think either one of us have an idea yet exactly what form that could take. Let’s face it, he brings a unique perspective. He knows our team as well as anybody. He knows the league as well as anybody. There may be some capacity in which he could help us. This is not a situation where we wanted to see him walk out the door. We want him to stay involved because of everything he has brought to this organization, everything he could still possibly do at some point in the future.”
BEN MCADOO AND STEVE SPAGNUOLO AND WILL INTERVIEW FOR GIANTS JOB…
Team President/CEO John Mara confirmed on Tuesday that New York Giants Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo and Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will interview for the team’s head coaching vacancy sometime this week. “I’m not going to talk about specific candidates other than to say both our coordinators, both Ben and Steve, will be interviewed,” said Mara.
GIANTS REQUEST TO INTERVIEW ADAM GASE… According to NFL.com, the New York Giants have requested to interview Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase for the team’s head coaching vacancy. Gase was also the offensive coordinator in Denver from 2013-14.
MARC ROSS TO INTERVIEW WITH TITANS… According to CBS Sports, New York Giants Vice President of Player Evaluation Marc Ross will interview for the general manager position of the Tennessee Titans. Ross, who runs the team’s draft, has received interest from the Bears, Buccaneers, and Dolphins in recent years.
REPORT – CHIP KELLY NOT A CANDIDATE FOR GIANTS JOB… According to NJ.com, ex-Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly is not a candidate for the Giants head coaching vacancy, contradicting an earlier report from Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia.
As #Saints coach Sean Payton mulls his future, let me state the obvious: Yes, he's monitoring the situation with the #Giants. Very closely.
GIANTS SIGN SIX PLAYERS TO RESERVE/FUTURE DEALS…
As is always the case once the season ends, the New York Giants have begun to prepare for the next season by signing players to reserve/future contracts. The Giants have signed the following players:
QB/WR/S S G.J. Kinne
WR Tavarres King
OC Shane McDermott
OT Jake Rodgers
CB Leon McFadden
PK Tom Obarski
All of the players except for Obarski were on the Giants’ Practice Squad. Obarski was originally signed by the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted rookie free agent after the 2015 NFL Draft, but he did not make the team. Obarski has a strong leg for field goals but does not kickoff as well for distance.
ELI MANNING ON WFAN…
The audio of Monday’s WFAN Radio interview with quarterback Eli Manning is available on CBS New York’s website.
In January 2004, the New York Giants appeared to be a broken franchise. The team that had come tantalizing close to an NFL title in 2000 had once again begun to slip into mediocrity. It had been 13 years and three head coaches since the team’s sixth NFL title in 1990. And after a horrific 4-12 season in 2003, the Giants appeared far from ending their championship drought. The Giants had only made the playoffs four times since Bill Parcells quit and yet another coach had just been let go.
On January 6, 2004, Tom Coughlin became the 16th head coach of the New York Football Giants. After he was introduced by then-General Manager Ernie Accorsi at his introductory press conference on January 7, Coughlin addressed the media.
“What we must be all about right now, immediately, is the restoration of pride; self pride, team pride, the restoration of our professionalism and the dignity of which we conduct our business,” said Coughin. “We must restore our belief in the process by which we will win. We must replace despair with hope and return the energy and the passion to New York Giant football.”
“My job is to convince these young men that with the parity that exists in this league today, the difference is in the preparation and that our formula will earn us the right to win,” said Coughlin, prophetically using the very words that would become the title of his book nine years later.
The rebuilding process began in 2004 with the draft-day mega-trade for quarterback Eli Manning and the selection of Coughlin’s eventual son-in-law, guard Chris Snee, in the 2nd round of the NFL Draft. In free agency, the Giants added quarterback Kurt Warner, center Shaun O’Hara, and defensive tackle Fred Robbins. New York started the season 5-2, but after falling to 5-4, Coughlin decided to bench Warner and begin the Eli Manning era. Manning only won one game that season, the finale against the Cowboys, as the Giants finished the year 6-10.
More pieces arrived in 2005. Wide receiver Plaxico Burress, right tackle Kareem McKenzie, and linebacker Antonio Pierce were signed in free agency. Cornerback Corey Webster, defensive end Justin Tuck, and running back Brandon Jacobs were drafted. Both co-owners, Wellington Mara and Bob Tisch, passed away from cancer within three weeks of each other during the season. The Giants surprised everyone by finishing 11-5 and winning the NFC East before being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs 23-0 by the Carolina Panthers.
In 2006, the Giants added cornerbacks Sam Madison and R.W. McQuarters in free agency and drafted defensive end/linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka and defensive tackle Barry Cofield. Despite a second straight playoff appearance, the 2006 season was a disappointment. After starting 6-2, the Giants lost six of their last eight games and finished 8-8. They were one-and-done again in the playoffs, losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 23-20. In just his third season, Coughlin was already on the hot seat and many wanted him gone. He was forced fire both his offensive (John Hufnagel) and defensive (Tim Lewis) coordinators. Mike Sweatman, the special teams coordinator, also retired.
The 2007 New York Giants ended up being one of the most remarkable teams in all of sports history. Coughlin softened his approach and listened more to his players. New additions included kicker Lawrence Tynes, linebacker Kawika Mitchell, cornerback Aaron Ross, wide receiver Steve Smith, tight end Kevin Boss, and running back Ahmad Bradshaw. With a completely new set of coordinators on offense (Kevin Gilbride), defense (Steve Spagnuolo), and special teams (Tom Quinn), the team lost its first two games, won six straight, and looked very shaky down the stretch, playing .500 football in the last eight games, and barely making the playoffs for the third year in a row. Nobody – and I do mean nobody – gave the 10-6, #5 seed Wild Card Giants a shot at winning three straight road playoff games. Up until that point, in their entire history since 1925, the New York Giants had only cumulatively won three post-season away games. The “road warrior” Giants went on to double that total by defeating the #4 seed Buccaneers, #1 seed Cowboys, and #2 seed Packers before shocking the sports world by beating the AFC’s #1 seed, the “best team of all time” 18-0 New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. In a matter of a few games, Eli Manning developed into a true franchise quarterback. Coughlin became the fifth head coach in team history to win an NFL Championship, New York’s seventh overall.
Coughlin’s best regular season with the Giants came in 2008 as the team went an NFC best 12-4 and won the NFC East. However, the Plaxico Burress shooting incident and mounting injuries derailed a team that had beaten both eventual Super Bowl participants, and the Giants were one-and-done in the playoffs against the Eagles again. The Giants missed the playoffs in 2009 and 2010 with 8-8 and 10-6 records and Tom Coughlin was once again on the proverbial hot seat. Spagnuolo departed and was replaced first by Bill Sheridan and then Perry Fewell. New additions during these three years included wide receivers Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Mario Manningham; tight end Jake Ballard; defensive linemen Jason Pierre-Paul, Chris Canty, and Linval Joseph; linebacker Michael Boley; and safeties Kenny Phillips, Antrel Rolle, and Deon Grant.
In 2011 came miracle season #2, so eerily reminiscent of the storybook 2007 campaign. Center David Baas and punter Steve Weatherford arrived in free agency. Foreshadowing future personnel problems, that year’s draft didn’t provide much help. Like 2007, the Giants started off 6-2, but struggled in the second half of the season. The Giants lost four games in a row and looked dead until saving their season by defeating the Jets and sweeping the Cowboys to win the NFC East. The Giants were terrible running the football (32nd in the NFL) and on defense (27th in the NFL), but the passing game led by Manning, Cruz, and Nicks carried the team to a 9-7 record, with six 4th-quarter comebacks. The #4 seed Giants then proceeded to beat the #5 seed Falcons, #1 seed Packers, and #2 seed 49ers, before dispatching the #1 seed Patriots, Tom Brady, and Bill Belichick for the second time in four years in Super Bowl XLVI. Coughlin became the third Giants coach to win multiple championships and the 13th NFL coach in history to win multiple Super Bowls.
The 2012-2015 seasons were not kind to Coughlin as his team missed the playoffs each of his final four years in New York with 9-7, 7-9, 6-10, and 6-10 records. Poor drafting and numerous career-impacting injuries hollowed out the roster. Blowouts and heart-breaking 4th-quarter defeats mounted. Offensive and defensive coordinators were let go and many position coaches were fired with no improvement to the overall record. Approaching the ripe old age of 70, ownership decided to make a change.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as head coach of the New York Football Giants,” said Coughlin on the day he stepped down. “Obviously, the past three years have not been what any of us expect, and as head coach, I accept the responsibility for those seasons. 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.”
Alongside Steve Owen and Bill Parcells, Tom Coughlin is indisputably one of the greatest head coaches in the history of the New York Giants. Coughlin coached the Giants to a 102-90 regular season record and 8-3 post-season record. He had more wins in franchise history than any coach except for Owen, and tied Parcells for the most post-season wins in team history. In 12 seasons, Coughlin guided his team to five playoff berths, three division championships, two NFC Championships, and two NFL Championships. One-quarter of the team’s eight titles came under his helm.
Mission Accomplished
There was never a hidden agenda with Tom. His only goal was to make the New York Giants a winner. And with two of the most stunning playoff runs in sports history, Coughlin accomplished that objective. He was tough on his players, but in the end, they loved him for it.
“Thank you Tom Coughlin for demanding the very best from myself (and my) teammates every single day,” said offensive lineman David Diehl, who played for Coughlin from 2004-13. “Respect is not given, it’s earned.”
“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life and career to be led by Tom Coughlin; my life will forever be changed,” said current place kicker Josh Brown.
If someone would have predicted in January 2004 that Tom Coughlin would win two Super Bowls in the next 12 years with the Giants, any fan of the team would have signed up for that deal in a heartbeat. Mission accomplished Coach Coughlin. You will always hold a special place in our hearts.
TOM COUGHLIN STEPS DOWN AS HEAD COACH OF THE GIANTS…
In a move that was somewhat expected, Tom Coughlin is stepping down as head coach of the New York Giants. Coughlin served as head coach of the team for 12 seasons, guiding the franchise to five playoff berths, three division titles, two NFC Championships, and two NFL Championships. He coached the Giants to a 102-90 regular season record and 8-3 post-season record. Coughlin had more wins in franchise history of any coach except for Steve Owen. However, the team has had three losing seasons in a row and has missed the playoffs six times out of the last seven years.
The Giants will hold a press conference on Tuesday morning at 10:30AM with Coughlin, team president/CEO John Mara, team chairman/executive vice president Steve Tisch, and team general manager Jerry Reese.
“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. I strongly believe the time is right for me and my family, and as I said, the Giants organization,” said Coughlin in a prepared press release.
“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.
“Obviously, the past three years have not been what any of us expect, and as head coach, I accept the responsibility for those seasons.
“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.
“I appreciate the support of John and his family and Steve and his family, and of Jerry Reese and his staff. I think our organization is a great representation of what I mean when I talk about ‘team’.
“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.”
Mara, Tisch, and Reese also commented by press release.
“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.”
“On behalf of my family, I want to thank Coach Coughlin for how he has represented our franchise for the past 12 years,” said 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.”
“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.”
FOXSports is reporting that Coughin is not retiring and remains interested in coaching if the right opportunity presents itself.
According to press reports, team ownership met in the morning before meeting with Coughlin at 1:00PM. Coughlin met with staff and players in the morning but did not share any insights about his status. He then met with the coaching staff after his early afternoon meeting with ownership.
In meeting today, Tom Coughlin told players, “If this is my last time as head coach, I wish you all the success in the world.”
REPORT – JERRY REESE SAFE…
According to NFL.com, New York Giants General Manger Jerry Reese’s job is safe. He will not be fired.
GIANTS INTERESTED IN CHIP KELLY?… According to Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, the New York Giants are said to be one of several teams interested in interviewing Chip Kelly for their head coaching vacancy. Kelly, who served as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles from 2013-2015, was recently fired by the team. The other teams reported to be interested in Kelly include the 49ers, Browns, and Titans.
EAGLES INTERESTED IN BEN MCADOO?… According to FOXSports, New York Giants Offensive Coordinator Ben McAdoo is one of several potential head coaching candidates for the Philadelphia Eagles. Chicago Bears Offensive Coordinator Adam Gase and Detroit Lions Defensive Coordinator Teryl Austin are also said to be drawing interest from the Eagles.
SEAN PAYTON INTERESTED IN GIANTS?… According to CBS Sports, New Orleans Saints Head Coach Sean Payton is interested in becoming the Giants next head coach. Payton served as the offensive coordinator with the Giants under Jim Fassel from 2000-2002. However, the Saints are reportedly seeking a second-round draft pick for Payton.
THE PLAYERS SPEAK…
The following transcripts and video of player media sessions on Monday are available in The Corner Forum and at Giants.com:
