Former New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin open to coaching return

Tom Coughlin has insisted he is "not done with coaching" despite stepping down as New York Giants coach.

On Monday, Coughlin announced he would be leaving his post of 12 years with immediate effect following the Giants' 35-30 defeat to Philadelphia Eagles. 

But when asked if he would be retiring, the 69-year-old said: "I'm not necessarily done with coaching. Thank you very much for asking."

The loss to the Eagles brought to an end a disappointing campaign for the Giants, who finished the season with a record of 6-10.

But Coughlin, who won two Super Bowl championships during his reign as coach of the Giants, showed he still had the spirit to continue despite a 2015 campaign marked by a string of close losses.

He added: "If this was 7-9, I would have been in [co-owner] John Mara's office and [co-owner] Steve Tisch's) office. How do you lose six games in 30 seconds and not be competitive?"

However, Mara insisted it was time for a change despite his high regard and debt of thanks to Coughlin.

"He's a Hall of Fame coach, a Hall of Fame person. He leaves big shoes to fill," he said. 

Mara acknowledged the Giants had to improve their roster, particularly on the defensive side, but chose to retain general manager Jerry Reese and begin a search for a new coach.

He said Coughlin broached his voluntary exit, though added: "I think it was as much mutual as anything else.

"Twelve years is a long time to be a head coach in the NFL," Mara said. "It's just time. It's just time. I think he realized it more so than anybody else."

Mara also revealed the team would like Coughlin to come back in an advisory role.

"I don't want to let all that knowledge walk out the door. I asked him to think about it over the next few days," he added.