This week, NYP TV Sports’ Andrew Marchand spoke with Dick Vermeil of ESPN and the NFL Network.

Vermeil, 69, will be an analyst on the back end of ESPN’s Monday Night Football doubleheader on Sept. 11. He coached the Eagles, Rams and Chiefs, winning Super Bowl XXXIV with the Rams.

Q: You have been an NFL head coach and a TV analyst.

What do you think of new Jet coach Eric Mangini’s clamping down on the media?

A: Having worked both, I just know when you are starting out new you have to start out with the approach that fits your leadership style and how you want to get things done. You modify it as you gain experience.

Some guys will start with a semiopendoor policy. Some guys will start with a closed-door policy. It all varies depending upon the individual leader. There is no right or wrong.

Q: Do you think it affects the coverage?

A: What happens, that I see, when a person starts out on the tight side of media participation and it doesn’t go well, the media gets more upset with him [in its coverage] than they do than if there is an open door.

Q: Last year, there were rumors about Herman Edwards leaving the Jets and ending up in Kansas City. Do you feel as if some people in New York misunderstood the situation?

A: First off, nobody knew that I was going to retire. I told Carl Peterson after we beat Denver [on Dec. 4] that this was going to be my last year, so no one could be talking to anyone about anything.

All that stuff about Herman coming to Kansas City prior was just rumor mill. Herman and I are close friends. We talked once a week, every Tuesday night late. I didn’t know I was leaving.

Q: Have you totally closed the door on returning to coaching?

A: Yes, I have. First off, nobody is going to open it at almost 70 years old. It is time. I thought it would be unfair to the Chiefs to stay there one year at a time.

Q: People always make a big deal about your crying. Does it bother you that they do?

A: It used to bother me. In fact, it used to bother me personally. I’m a very emotional guy, especially when I’m talking about somebody or something I really sincerely care about. I learn not to go that way, that far, to hold back being emotional, but sometimes it just happens.

Quite often when I go out for pregame warm-ups, someone will yell at me, “Vermeil, why don’t you cry for me?” And I say, “Stick it in your [behind.] You don’t have a clue.” When you are really passionate about something and care about the people you are involved with, that draws the emotion from me. It always has and it always will.