The New York Giants have wasted no time taking the question of Tom Coughlin's job status off the table. Giants President John Mara said following the Giants' season-ending 17-14 victory over the Washington Redskins that Coughlin will return in 2011 despite the Giants having missed the playoffs in each of the last two seasons.
"There was never any doubt," according to Mara, who reportedly told Coughlin during the week prior to the Washington game that he would be back next season. "Never any doubt in my mind, never any doubt in Steve Tisch's mind, never any doubt in Jerry Reese's mind."
Mara added that he never considered firing the 64-year-old coach.
"The only time you make a coaching change is when the players aren't responding to the coach. That is not the case here," Mara said.
"I'm very, very appreciative of the support (of owners)," Coughlin told reporters following the game.
Coughlin now has a 64-48 record in seven season as Giants head coach. His playoff record is 4-3, with all of those victories coming in the 2007 Super Bowl season.
You have to believe there will be other changes to the coaching staff and the personnel, but the Giants obviously still believe that Coughlin is the right guy to lead them.