Saying "we strongly believe in Tom," the New York Giants today announced that they have extended head coach Tom Coughlin's contract through the 2012 NFL season.
"As we said after the season, we strongly believe in Tom," said President John Mara. "We believe in the job he has done, and we believe in his ability to lead our team in the future. Everybody was on the same page in arriving at the extension."
The job status of the 64-year-old Coughlin always seems to be a source of conversation for Giants fans and media who cover the team. It looks, though, like they will both have the excitable task-master to kick around for a couple more seasons.
"I am grateful for the opportunity," said Coughlin. "As I have said roughly a thousand times, we're all on one-year contracts in this business, but the reality is that I am thankful to work for people like the Maras and the Tisches and with people like (General Manager) Jerry Reese and his staff, as well as my coaching staff and our players."
Coughlin has been the Giants' head coach since 2004. His regular season record with the club is 65-47 (.580). Coughlin's 65 regular season victories are the third-highest total among head coaches in Giants history, behind only Hall of Famer Steve Owen (153) and Bill Parcells (77).
Coughlin's postseason record is 4-3. He joins Parcells as the only Giants coaches with playoff records over .500 and his four postseason victories trail only Parcells, who had eight.
The 2011 season will be Coughlin's eighth as the Giants' head coach. Only three other men in the 87-year history of the Giants have been the team's head coach for at least eight years. Owen coached for 23 seasons (1931-53). Allie Sherman (1961-68) and Parcells (1983-90) each coached the Giants for eight seasons.
He has coached the Giants to a Super Bowl victory, two NFC East titles and four playoff berths.