Coughlin Not Thinking About Retirement; Still Has 'Goals' And 'Things To Accomplish'

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Just how close is Giants coach Tom Coughlin to retirement?

Defensive back Terrell Thomas told the NFL Network earlier this week that he thought his coach would call it a career after the 2012 season.

"I thought it was this season," Thomas said on Tuesday during an appearance on "NFL AM". "But I think he has one more in him."

Just one more year?

On Friday, the three-time Super Bowl winner addressed Thomas' statement at the NFL Scouting Combine.

"I tried to think of something funny to say, but I don't know what to say about it," Coughlin told reporters. "I don't even know how a young man would come to that statement."

The 66-year-old coach is under contract through 2014, but he hasn't shown any indication that he plans to hang it up anytime soon.

And right now, Big Blue's leader is solely focused on getting his team back to the playoffs next season.

"I approach each year the way I always approach them, and the energy is flowing well," Coughlin said. "I'm excited about it. I'm looking forward to this offseason and getting our football team together again. Maybe at some point I'll get the message, but it certainly isn't right now."

The upstate New York native has been coaching since 1969, starting off as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Syracuse University. He was the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 1995-2002 and was hired by the Giants in 2004.

New York surprisingly missed the playoffs this past season, but despite leading the G-Men to victories in Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI, the veteran still feels that he has a lot he wants to accomplish before he calls it quits.

"Seriously, I've got goals," Coughlin said. "I've got things I want to get done. I've got a foundation. I've got a family. I've got all these things that I would still very much like to accomplish, and be a part of this great New York Giant organization. To think beyond those years, no. One at a time. Next year, let's talk about next year. Then after next year, we'll talk about the following year."

In nine years at the helm in East Rutherford, Coughlin owns an 83-61 record (.576 winning percentage). He's won three division titles in addition to the two Super Bowls, and has a career NFL record of 162-128.

"He lives and breathes football," Thomas acknowledged to the NFL Network. "He has everybody in there all day, every day in the offseason. I think he wants to go out on top. Hopefully we can get it right and bring a Super Bowl home in Giants Stadium."

How many years of coaching do you think Coughlin has left in him? And should the Giants bring him back if they miss the playoffs next season? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...