Gilbride retiring

[45...@mydaja.com]

New York Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride announced his
retirement on Thursday after nearly 40 years in coaching.

The 62-year-old Gilbride spent the past 10 years with the Giants on
coach Tom Coughlin's staff and 39 years overall in the NFL with the
Houston Oilers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and San Diego
Chargers.

"It's hard to say, 'It's time,'" Gilbride said. "To finally do it,
it's a very unnatural feeling. I've been telling my wife (Debbie) for
years I was going to do it. ... I knew this was it and I was going to
do it. I finally pulled the trigger. But it's difficult""

Gilbride was the Giants' quarterback coach for three seasons and
played a role in the development of Eli Manning.

"I have great respect for Kevin and Debbie and their family, so it's
not an easy thing to part ways," Coughlin said. "Kevin is a
professional. He's been an exceptional football coach for the New York
Giants. He helped win two Super Bowl championships. Kevin was the
play-caller in Super Bowls XLII and XLVI. He has done a great service
to the franchise."

Manning said, "I have a tremendous amount of respect and admiration
for Kevin. I'm really sad to see him retire. He has been with me from
day one as my quarterbacks coach and then my coordinator. He really
taught me everything I needed to learn to become an NFL quarterback.
We've had so much success together, obviously winning our two Super
Bowls."

With Gilbride's retirement, speculation will turn toward Mike
Sullivan, who was offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
and a former Giants receivers and quarterbacks coach.

There had been wide speculation about Gilbride's job security. His
offense sputtered to a 28th-place finish in 2013.

The Giants went 7-9 this season after starting 0-6.

"It is difficult to walk away after a season like that, no question,"
Gilbride said. "You made the adjustments and you continue to modify
and adapt and do the things you had to do to give your guys a chance.
But all of the success we've had offensively through the last five or
six years, we just weren't able to get it done this year with all of
the things that took place."

After the season, co-owner John Mara said changes would be coming
after an "offensive failure."

"I think our offense is broken right now and we need to fix that, and
we need to make some improvements on defense, too," Mara said Monday.
"But, obviously, the offensive side of the ball, we've got to improve
there and we can't go into next season with the same personnel."

Coughlin said he would like to continue to coach.