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Tom Coughlin has parted ways with the New York Giants after 12 years as head coach.
In what was sometimes a tenuous relationship, Coughlin stepped down Monday, with his exit paved by a third straight losing season in the NFL.
Coughlin informed his staff that a change would be made following a meeting with team ownership.
"I met with [president] John Mara and [chairman] Steve Tisch and I informed them that it is in the best interest of the organisation that I step down as head coach. I strongly believe the time is right for me and my family, and as I said, the Giants organisation.
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"It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as head coach of the New York Football Giants. This is a not a sad occasion for me. I have spent 15 years with this organisation 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.
"Obviously, the past three years have not been what any of us expect, and as head coach, I accept the responsibility for those seasons.
"I think it has been evident these last 12 years here how much pride I take in representing this franchise. I am gratified and proud that we were able to deliver two more Lombardi trophies to the display case in our lobby during that time. That is a tribute to our players and staff, and it was truly fulfilling to be the leader of those teams.
"I appreciate the support of John and his family and Steve and his family, and of Jerry Reese and his staff. I think our organisation is a great representation of what I mean when I talk about 'team'."
The Giants finished the 2015 season with a 6-10 record after Sunday's 35-30 shootout loss to their NFC East rivals the Philadelphia Eagles.
Coughlin was seemingly always on the hot seat but was able to save his job with a pair of improbable runs to Super Bowl championships in 2007 and 2011.
The Giants knocked off the undefeated New England Patriots to win Super Bowl XLII after making the playoffs as the number five seed.
The Giants failed to make the playoffs in 2009 and 2010 before squeaking into the postseason in 2011 as NFC East champions with a 9-7 record. After beating the Atlanta Falcons in the wild-card round, the Giants upset the 15-1 Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field en route to another win over the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Despite being reunited with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who parlayed the team's stellar defensive effort in 2007 to a head-coaching gig with the St Louis Rams two years later, the Giants had the NFL's worst defense this year.
Coughlin, 69, was the oldest head coach in the NFL and finishes his run as the Giants coach with a 102-90 regular-season record and 8-3 in the playoffs.
He was the Jacksonville Jaguars' coach in the franchise's first eight years of existence, leading them to the 1996 AFC championship game in the team's second season. Coughlin went 68-60 during the regular season for a career mark of 170-150 and 12-7 in the playoffs.
According to multiple reports, Coughlin is not ready to retire just yet and will listen if he finds a good fit elsewhere.