After 12 years, Giants head coach Tom Coughlin is stepping down as head coach of the team. The move was widely expected after a disappointing season in which the Giants once again failed to make the playoffs.

In a statement released today on NFL.com, Coughlin said, "It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as head coach of the New York Football Giants. This is 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."

Giants quarterback Eli Manning got emotional when speaking to reporters this morning. According to USA Today, Manning said "he has done a great job and he definitely has not failed. I feel that we as players, we failed him by not playing to the level that we could."

Giants offensive coordinator Ban McAdoo is considered to be a candidate to replace Coughlin, as are Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels (who is also a candidate for the vacant Miami Dolphins coaching position,) and college coaches Nick Saban, Brian Kelly and David Shaw. Other names will very likely be rumored over the next several days.

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