What began as pure speculation has now become a reality. Former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin will interview with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night, per a Fox Sports report on Saturday. The Giants gave permission for Coughlin to interview with their NFC East rival.
Rumors started to swirl after Bill Parcells claimed that Coughlin could be a good fit for the Eagles on 97.5FM The Fanatic. When asked about his abilities as a coach and whether the Eagles were a possibility, Parcells replied, “I know guys Tom Coughlin’s age who know a whole lot more about football than some of the 30 year olds who are coaching it… I think his record pretty much speaks for itself.”
Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com speculated that the meeting may just be to take Coughlin’s temperature.
Either way, even the possibility of seeing the two-time Super Bowl champion coach on the Eagles’ sideline will hurt for Giants fans.
According to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports, a Giants spokesman “would neither confirm nor deny” the Eagles’ request for an interview. Since Coughlin stepped down with one year left, the Giants still hold the rights to his contract, hence the request needed to be made.
If Coughlin ends up as the Eagles head coach, will it destroy the good will he left in New York? His resignation was an amicable one and seemingly on good terms with the organization and his players. His kind works at his final press conference nearly brought Eli Manning to tears. While surely Manning can rise above the animus of a division rivalry, can Giants fans in MetLife Stadium?