John Mara confirmed what we already knew on Tuesday, that Tom Coughlin would return as head coach of the New York Giants in 2015. Mara, however, made it plain that the leash is short saying it is not "an unfair statement" to categorize 2015 as a 'win or else' season.

Mara said he was "sick" over the results of the 2014 season.

"6-10 is an embarrassment," the co-owner said during his season-ending press conference Tuesday at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center.

Mara said that Coughlin is still the right man for the Giants' head coaching job but stopped short of saying that he would offer Coughlin an extension beyond 2015. Traditionally the Giants do not allow a head coach to enter a season as a lame duck, but Coughlin could do just that this season.

"I still believe in him," Mara said of Coughlin, the two-time Super Bowl winning coach. "I think Tom gives us the best chance to win. How long that's going to last I don't know."

Mara said that Coughlin, not GM Jerry Reese or himself, will ultimately make the decision as to which assistant coaches stay or go. Which means the fate of defensive coordinator Perry Fewell is in Coughlin's hands.

"Tom is a Super Bowl-winning potential Hall of Fame coach. He's more qualified to make that decision than I am," Mara said. "He knows better than we do."

Mara added that it is the Giants' policy that the head coach makes the final call on his staff, adding that it is "absolutely not true" the ownership forced him to part ways a year ago with offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.

Mara, like many of the players did on Monday, voiced optimism about the coming season.

"I think we're going to be a good team next season," Mara said. "I do believe there's reason for optimism, but we're going to have to prove that."

-- More from Mara's press conference throughout the day, so check back for updates.