Former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin admitted earlier this March that he was forced out in New York after posting a 6-10 record for the second consecutive season, and he now thinks that he won't be an adviser to the franchise.
Coughlin helped bring two Lombardi Trophies back to New York as their head coach, but after three straight losing seasons, New York's front office and Giants ownership likely felt that it was time for a change. The pressure shifted from Coughlin's shoulders to general manager Jerry Reese, who has made some significant moves in free agency this offseason, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Many believed that the Giants would keep Coughlin on as an adviser to the team and new head coach Ben McAdoo, but Coughlin made it known Wednesday night that he doesn't think the Giants want to bring him back. "I haven't heard anything about that," Coughlin said. "I don't think I will be with them in any capacity this season."
Many could understand why Coughlin would be frustrated, as he watched Reese add huge pieces to the defensive side of the ball in defensive end Olivier Vernon, cornerback Janoris Jenkins and defensive tackle Damon Harrison. "I'm not bitter," Coughlin said. "We know we aren't winning a Super Bowl without a good defense. It didn't happen then and now it is."
Coughlin didn't get his first head coaching job until 1995 with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and he feels that he got into NFL head coaching late and still wants a chance at running another franchise. In 12 seasons with the Giants, Coughlin posted a record of 102-90, and while those number aren't jaw-dropping, his ability to coach up his teams in crunch moments separates him as one of the greats of this era.
It seems unfortunate that it had to end for Coughlin in New York on such bad terms, but expect teams to be interested in him both as an adviser or as a future head coach, as his two Super Bowl rings as a head coach could entice many teams. The Giants will be one of the more intriguing teams to watch in 2016, as they have a revamped roster and a young new head coach eager to prove himself and what his team can do.
