Tom Coughlin, who stepped down as head coach of the New York Giants Monday, said his goodbyes at a press conference today. The 69-year-old said that regardless of the changes, he had full faith that quarterback Eli Manning would adapt. “He’s done it before, he’ll handle it again,” Coughlin said.
According to Coughlin, Manning felt like it was his fault that the coach was resigning. (The QB had expressed similar sentiments yesterday.) Coughlin consoled Manning, who was getting emotional in the crowd:
“[Eli] thinks he’s the reason that I’m—Eli, it’s not you,” Coughlin said. “It’s not you. It’s us. We win, we lose, together. Remember, when we lose, I lose. When we win, you guys win. That’s the way it is. That’s the game. I know what it is.”
After Coughlin finished his speech, he breezed past team president and CEO John Mara:
Next time, loser! Coughlin’s got shit to do. (Update (4:25 p.m.): A spokesperson for the Giants says Mara and Coughlin later hugged.) The coach’s full remarks are here:
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