Giants players react to Tom Coughlin's departure

Donald Miralle / Getty Images Sport / Getty

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin announced he will step down as head coach Monday.

Quarterback Eli Manning fought back tears at his press conference just prior to the news becoming public, saying the Giants failed Coughlin, not the other way around.

After the official announcement, several Giants players took to their social media accounts to express their gratitude to Coughlin:

I had the honor to play for a legend. Thank you coach Coughlin
— Justin Pugh (@JustinPugh) January 4, 2016

TC is an exceptional coach and an even better person. It’s been a honor to play for a HoF coach. Thank you Coach Coughlin
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) January 4, 2016

The realest coach I've ever had the luxury of playing for. It was a true honor to play for a man that not only teaches you how to be held accountable for your actions but how to be a leader in your own right. You will be missed TC!

A photo posted by Victor Cruz (@teamvic) on Jan 4, 2016 at 12:37pm PST

Words cannot describe how much I feel right now about TC stepping down. He has been a great father figure, head-coach to me, he is going to be truly missed by many thank you TC. #Blessed2KnowThisMan

A photo posted by Jason Pierre-Paul (@iamjasonpierrepaul) on Jan 4, 2016 at 11:51am PST