WASHINGTON – With President Barack Obama standing alongside him and listening intently, Giants coach Tom Coughlin stood behind a podium on a sun-splashed afternoon on the South Lawn of the White House and offered a reminder and a wish for the future.

“A few short years ago I said I hoped this experience was not a once-in-a lifetime experience,’’ Coughlin said Friday during the Super Bowl champion Giants victorious visit to meet the President. “Now I’m saying I hope, Mr. President, it’s not a twice-in-a-lifetime experience. We both have a goal to get back here next year.’’

With that, Obama smiled, clearly approving Coughlin’s message.

For the second time in four years, the Giants made this trip, the last time meeting President George W. Bush and this time getting to hear Obama laud them for their improbable 2011 season.

“Last year’s Giants were obviously a special one,’’ Obama said, “not just because of where they ended up but because of how they got there.’’

Obama busted on Justin Tuck choosing as his good luck song “In The Air Tonight’’ and that song being used in the highlight film the Giants watched the night before Super Bowl XLVI.

“I don’t know about a little Phil Collins before a big game,’’ Obama cracked. “I may try that before a big meeting with Congress. But apparently it worked. The next night Eli Manning led the way and earned his second Super Bowl MVP.’’

Manning, Tuck and Zak DeOssie as the tri-captains presented Obama with a blue No. 44 (signifying the 44th President of the United States) Giants jersey.

“I just told him he looks good in blue,’’ Tuck said. “He was like, ‘You’re right, but I’d rather have that Chicago Bears [jersey] on me.’ He’s being true to it and he’s not being a politician when it comes to that. That’s something you have to have a lot of respect for him.’’

Before the brief ceremony, the Giants visited with a group of Wounded Warriors at the White House.