There's a new name on the Eagles interview list. It's one that you probably aren't expecting, but it also easily trumps every other name when it comes to prior experience.
The Eagles have requested to interview former New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports and Adam Schefter of ESPN and further confirmed by Tim McManus of Birds 24/7. The interview is expected on Monday night.
Coughlin resigned from the Giants head coaching position on Monday after 12 seasons in New York that included a 102-90 record and two Super Bowl titles in 2007 and 2011.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the meeting between Coughlin and the Eagles is more of a feeling out process than an interview, but is still substantial given Coughlin's coaching history and the other coaching candidates for the Eagles to this point, all coordinators with little to no experience as head coaches in the NFL — only Pat Shurmur has prior head coaching experience, spending two seasons with the Cleveland Browns.
Prior to his 12 years with the Giants, Coughlin spent eight seasons as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, posting a 68-60 record and reaching the playoffs in four straight seasons including two AFC Championship games.
The 69-year-old discussed in detail his resignation from the Giants in a press conference on Monday and Giants owner John Mara left the door open for Coughlin to return to the team in some capacity. The Eagles need to request to interview with Coughlin because of his resignation. Coughlin still had one year remaining on his contract as Giants head coach. Because he resigned and was not fired by the team, the Giants still hold those rights.
Coughlin is easily the biggest name the Eagles have requested to interview thus far in the coaching search. To this point, the Eagles have interviewed Duce Staley, Shurmur, Adam Gase and Coughlin's former offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo — who is also still with the Giants. Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson is interviewing for the position on Sunday.
Kevin Durso is managing editor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @Kevin_Durso.
