EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – With the New York Giants facing a difficult decision on his coaching future after four consecutive years out of the playoffs, Tom Coughlin walked away gracefully, doing what was best for him.
The Giants gave him 12 years to run one of the NFL's flagship organizations. He delivered two Super Bowl titles and restored the franchise to the league's elite for a while.
It was mutually beneficial, and so was the departure Monday when the 69-year-old Coughlin resigned rather than force co-owners John Mara and Steve Tisch to fire him.
The Giants announced the decision one day after they ended their third consecutive losing season with a 35-30 loss to Philadelphia. New York (6-10) lost six of its last seven games.
"I met with [owners] 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, 69, said in a statement. "I strongly believe the time is right for me and my family, and … the Giants organization."
Coughlin, one of 13 coaches to win multiple Super Bowls, is scheduled to attend a news conference Tuesday with Mara, Tisch and General Manager Floyd Reese.
"In addition to delivering two Super Bowl titles, Tom represented us with class and dignity, and restored the pride to our entire organization," Mara said.
In a what-might-have-been season in the mediocre NFC East, the Giants' failures came down to, as Coughlin often said, "finishing." New York lost six games in the final 74 seconds of regulation or in overtime.
