Bill Parcells open to something new

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Bill Parcells doesn't sound like a man ready to retire anytime soon.

On a conference call with New York reporters to discuss his enshrinement in the New York Giants Ring of Honor on Sunday night, Parcells was asked about his future. And Parcells, who recently turned over control of the Miami Dolphins to general manager Jeff Ireland but remains with the team as a daily consultant, said he is open to doing something new.

"Well that is a good question," Parcells said when asked about what his future holds now. "I am not a sit-around-the-fireplace guy. I don't know. I am not certain about it. We will see what happens when the time comes. I know I want to do something even if it is not day-to-day or something like that. I know I want to do something. I don't like sitting around. I like to get up and go do something. We will figure it out when the time comes."

Parcells reportedly can leave the Dolphins organization at any time and still be paid the balance of the $12 million due on his four-year contract that runs through the 2011 season.

When asked about his health, Parcells, 69, said he is doing well.

"I am doing pretty good," Parcells said. "I got my weight way down. I am feeling pretty good. I work out good. I have been pretty fortunate. You have little things here and there but when you are my age, that is what happens. You keep the truck moving if you can."

As for his good friend Tom Coughlin, Parcells scoffs at any notion that the Giants should bring in the U-Haul truck and move Coughlin out and bring in a new head coach, such as Bill Cowher, next season. Cowher would be reportedly interested if the job were to open up after this season.

Coughlin has been the center of controversy for the past two weeks ever since safety Antrel Rolle questioned the leadership inside the locker room and the "controlled" atmosphere around the team. Following the Giants' 29-10 loss to the Titans in which the Giants were penalized 11 times, including five personal fouls after the whistle, Coughlin took full responsibility.

Former Giant Tiki Barber said this week that Coughlin is in a "crisis" and that his hold on the team is slipping. Michael Strahan rushed to Coughlin's defense earlier this week saying the coach is not to blame. Both he and Barber agreed that Coughlin needs better leadership from his players.

"You're asking the wrong guy because I'm a big Tom Coughlin fan," Parcells said of his former assistant coach. "I know what kind of coach he is. Nobody has to tell me. And I'm not interested in what the naysayers or other people say about him. I think he's a good man. He's proved to be a sound coach over the years. He's taken the team to a championship. Hey, we all come on rough times once in a while. But I have every confidence in Tom."

Parcells regretfully says he will not be able to tell Coughlin that in person on Sunday night due to a previously scheduled conflict that will keep him from attending the Ring of Honor unveiling. Parcells says he can't wait to see the New Meadowlands stadium and some of the things the Giants have that honor their storied history. Parcells has had a lot to do with the Giants' success, leading the franchise to two Super Bowls.

"Probably the two happiest days I ever had as a Giant was when Matt Bahr kicked the field goal in San Francisco to win the NFC Championship Game 15-13 because that was a game that many people didn't think that we had a chance," Parcells said of the 1990 season. "We had our backup quarterbacks. San Francisco was going for a three-peat. We were on the road. It was pretty gratifying."

Parcells said the five-hour plane ride to Tampa for Super Bowl XXV against the Bills was unforgettable. "One of the happiest times of my whole life and is certainly vivid in my recollection," Parcells said.

But he mentioned the Giants' rivalry with the Redskins and Joe Gibbs and one particular night for providing him with his second fondest moment as a Giant.

"There were a couple of those games down at RFK [Stadium]," Parcells said. "One night Raul Allegre kicked the field goal on a night game down there on the last play of the game. I'd be remiss if I didn't say the Super Bowls because they were -- certainly the second one was right to the wire."

Ohm Youngmisuk covers the Giants for ESPNNewYork.com. Follow him on Twitter.

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Ohm Youngmisuk

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Ohm Youngmisuk has covered the Giants, Jets and the NFL since 2006. Prior to that, he covered the Nets, Knicks and the NBA for nearly a decade. He joined ESPNNewYork.com after working at the New York Daily News for almost 12 years and is a graduate of Michigan State University.
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