The official wording when the Tom Coughlin-era ended in New York read that the coach stepped down from his position with the Giants.
Since that time it became clear that Coughlin was forced out. It's a notion the coach more or less confirmed in an interview Tuesday with Jay Mohr on FOX Sports Radio, saying he wasn't ready to leave.
"Hey, do I agree with the move? Of course not," Coughlin said, via the New York Daily News. "It hurts. It hurts. Former is not a good word. I don't like the word but that's the way it is."
Coughlin disputed the idea that he was so perturbed that he snubbed John Mara, walking past the owner after he concluded his final Giants press conference.
"I did not snub Mr. Mara if that's what you're insinuating," Coughlin said. "That's the way I leave press conferences. Why should I hang around to answer one more less-than-glamorous question?"
The Giants' moves after parting ways with Coughlin seemed to place all the team's struggles on the coach. A general manager in hot water kept his job. The offensive coordinator got promoted. The defensive coordinator of one of the worst units in the NFL was retained. Many of the same assistants under Coughlin are back.
Coughlin turns 70 in August, but made it clear he still has a desire to coach. Given the NFL's tendency to hire retread coaches, if that yearning lasts until next January, he'll surely get more interviews.
