Tom Coughlin announced today that he is stepping down as head coach of the New York Giants.

That makes me very sad.

Coughlin has been coaching the G-Men for twelve seasons, the longest tenure since Steve Owens back in the jurassic age of professional football. He’s compiled a winning record, and has led Big Blue to two Superbowls, winning them both. He helped shape Eli Manning into one of the best QBs in the NFL.

Yes, the Giants have missed the playoffs for four years. And this year was dreadful.

But I put most of the blame for that on the Giants front office, not Coughlin. The team had terrible luck with injuries this year — I believe the Giants ended the season with more players on IR than any other team — but even aside from that, the talent just wasn’t there. Look at the Minnesota game. With Odell Beckham Junior suspended, it became blindingly obvious that the Giants had no other receivers who could actually catch Eli’s passes. And the defense… oh, don’t get me started on the defense. Worst in the NFL?!?

Coughlin’s fault? No. Truth be told, no coach could have won with the roster he had this year. Not Evil Little Bill. Not Parcells. Not Don Shula, not Chuck Noll, not Tom Landry. Not even the sainted Vince Lombardi.

I wish Tom Coughlin well. He was a great coach and he had a great run, and he should leave with his head held high.

I have no idea who the G-Men can possibly bring in to replace him. He’s going to be a hard act to follow.