BOCA RATON, Fla. - Even though he's no longer the coach, Tom Coughlin still meanders over to the Giants facility in East Rutherford several days a week to squeeze in the early-morning workout that has become such a part of his daily routine for the past decade.



It should seem awkward, considering Coughlin no longer has a position in the organization. It's almost as if he's George Costanza in "Seinfeld" posing as a Yankees employee even though he doesn't work there.

Coughlin's presence, along with strange pacing of former strength and conditioning coach Jerry Palmieri, has raised some eyebrows at the Quest Diagnostics Training Center. But it's nothing the Giants seem intent on changing.



Palmieri has been reassigned to a personnel position within the organization while the door remains open for Coughlin to return in new role. The door also remains ajar for him to continue his visits to the same office where Ben McAdoo is now tasked with turning around a team that has missed the playoffs four straight years.



"No, he's always welcome here," co-owner John Mara said of there being a possible issue with Coughlin's continued presence at the facility. "He's always welcome here. That's never been an issue."



Mara and Coughlin spent time together at the Competition Committee meetings during the NFL Scouting Combine several weeks back. Mara said they had breakfast a "couple times" and touched on what's next for the former coach.



The Giants have continually said they are open to finding a position for Coughlin in the organization. But Coughlin originally had intentions of continuing to coach. He interviewed for the 49ers and Eagles jobs.

Despite neither situation panning out, Coughlin still hasn't closed the door on a return to coaching. In the meantime, he's putting his time and efforts into the Jay Fund, his non-profit charity that helps families of those dealing with childhood cancer.

"I still think he's trying to figure out what he's trying to do," Mara said. "We'll see. We haven't closed the door on [returning to the Giants] yet."



Really, in a strange way, Coughlin's never completely left.

Jordan Raanan may be reached at jraanan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan. Find NJ.com Giants on Facebook.