The Giants recently ensured that they won’t have to worry about a holdout from defensive end Osi Umenyiora, and now they won’t have to worry about one from coach Tom Coughlin, either.
The Giants have announced that the man who has won two of the last five Super Bowls has received a two-year extension. Coughlin’s new contract ties him up through 2014.
On Tuesday’s PFT Live, Bob Glauber of Newsday explained that the delay in getting the deal done likely had to do with money. Given Coughlin’s accomplishments, there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be paid as much or more than any other NFL head coach.
Coughlin will be 68 when his new deal expires. Some believe it will be his final contract with the team. He has not set a timetable for retiring, however, and regardless of when he intends to step away, it would be wise both for Coughlin and for the team to avoid a lame-duck season. Despite any optimism that Coughlin would still be able to command the room when his players know he won’t be around the following year, that approach rarely results in a successful outcome.
Besides, Coughlin surely has no desire to emulate in any way Tiki Barber’s high-profile, attention-maximizing exit from Big Blue. Instead, Coughlin in his final year will likely deny any reports or rumors or speculation that he’s retiring. And then after the season he’ll retire.