NFL

Retirement not on mind of Giants’ Coughlin

They are called “lifers’’ for a reason, because when they leave the job they often cease living.

“It’s pretty true,’’ Giants coach Tom Coughlin said yesterday. “You look at Bear Bryant, Joe Paterno. It’s scary.’’

Though Coughlin, 66, is the oldest head coach in the NFL, he has no immediate exit strategy in mind and told The Post when he does retire he’s not worried about finding longevity and happiness outside of the game.

“I’m not afraid of it,’’ Coughlin said. “I am in the healthiest position I can possibly be in, being the head football coach of the New York Giants. I have the best medical people in the world that are a phone call and a five-minute ride from where I am. I have an athletic trainer in Ronnie Barnes who is very, very aware of what I should be doing. I have a full physical every year, the best, an executive physical. My worry would be what would I do if I’m not on this schedule I’m on.’’

Coughlin said he has made no concessions to his age other than “I’m a little bit more aware of when I go to bed, to be honest with you, because I get up so darn early.’’

He’s working out at the Giants practice facility by 5:20 a.m., at his desk by 6:15 a.m. and, during the season, works straight through past the 10 p.m. meetings.

No one, he insists, has told him he needs to slow down.

“As a matter of fact I went right after the season to the doctor and he said ‘Hey, blood pressure’s perfect, your resting heart rate is ridiculous,’’ Coughlin said.