This is from someone with knowledge of Tom Coughlin’s thought-process now that he is no longer head coach of the Giants:
“Tom’s 69 going on 50, but still, he’s not looking for a long-term project,’’ the source told The Post. “You want to be able to win.’’
It takes two to start a new relationship and one week after he resigned, Coughlin finds himself in demand. The 49ers on Monday requested and received permission from the Giants to speak to Coughlin about the coaching vacancy in San Francisco. Because he is under contract and was technically not fired, the Giants still control his coaching rights.
The same day, Coughlin spoke with an Eagles contingent that included owner Jeffrey Lurie and most likely Howie Roseman, the vice president of football operations, and Don Smolenski, the Eagles team president. It is not known if Coughlin is a favorite in Philadelphia or if the 49ers have serious interest in him, but interviews are interviews and the Giants know their former coach can command a room when he wants to make an impression.
Coughlin is by far the oldest head-coach prospect making the rounds. The 49ers were thought to be close to hiring Hue Jackson, the Bengals offensive coordinator, but if they are set on Jackson, why have they reached out to Coughlin? The 49ers have also interviewed Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, Browns offensive coordinator John DeFilippo and Bills assistant head coach Anthony Lynn. The 49ers were also rumored to have interest in Chip Kelly, who was fired by the Eagles with one game remaining in the regular season.
Given Coughlin’s criteria — a place he can win quickly — it is worth noting the 49ers may not meet that criteria. San Francisco is a team seemingly in turmoil and without a franchise quarterback — unless Coughlin views Colin Kaepernick as a franchise quarterback, coming off a disastrous and injury-riddled season.
“The pool is a little thin, it really is,’’ the source said. “If you have a two-time Super Bowl coach, granted the last few years have not been successful, but if you have a little better roster … if you’re an owner you have to consider the Coughlins and [Mike] Shanahans. If you’re an owner, why wouldn’t you?’’