The Post’s Steve Serby chatted Friday with the Jets’ new coach:

Q: What are your emotions, days away from the start of the Eric Mangini Era?

A: I am incredibly excited about the opportunity. I think this is the best place in the world to have this opportunity.

I couldn’t ask for a better owner and better people to work with.

Q: Do you expect a honeymoon period?

A: I’m gonna work the same way now as the next year and the year after.

Every day is really the same approach.

Q: New York won’t scare you?

A: I love New York. I had such an incredible experience here (under Bill Parcells). I love the fans here.

This was really a special place for me in my career.

Q: Some are convinced the franchise is cursed.

A: I believe that every year is its own distinct period in time and its own distinct opportunity. Each year, the same number of teams get to compete for the same thing. I view it as what’s happening now.

Q: How do you like being called Boy Wonder?

A: I didn’t even know people were calling me that to tell you the truth.

Q: What can you tell Jet fans about what kind of team they can expect?

A: A smart, tough, hard-working, competitive team; I want a team that football’s really important to.

Q: One quarterback to win one game?

A: Joe Namath.

Q: Why Namath?

A: Because he had one game to win, the biggest game at that time, and he did it.

Q: Best Bill Parcells motivational ploy?

A: When I sat in my first meeting when he addressed the team and talked about three things guys can do to be successful – be on time, pay attention and work hard. I still have the notes.

Q: How does Bill Belichick’s motivational approach differ?

A: They’re both great motivators.

Q: Will you be more Parcells or more Belichick?

A: I’ve learned so much with both of them, there are things I do every day that draws from those experiences.

Q: When you and GM Mike Tannenbaum go out to dinner, what’s a typical bill cost?

A: Probably more than when two other guys go out to dinner (chuckles).

Q: You have two young boys; how are you at changing diapers?

A: I think I’m pretty good at it now; my wife does correct me every now and then. I think I’m better with (2-year-old) Jake than (5-month-old) Luke – Luke has a smaller size so it’s a little more challenging. The extra material gives me a little more leeway.

Q: Most humbling Browns ballboy experience?

A: (Chuckles). That whole experience was humbling, seeing I had just graduated from Wesleyan. The family was like: “What are you possibly thinking?” We had a group picture together and I’m in the middle about a foot taller than those kids and a lot older.

Q: Your dad (Carmine)?

A: He was amazing in terms of whatever I was involved in, he’d be there watching. He helped me learn how to throw a football and baseball. He was just a real special person … I appreciate more now as a father how smart he was, how caring he was. I remember one time in downtown Hartford, there was a homeless man, and he took off his jacket and gave it to this guy. He did a lot of work with the St. Elizabeth House in Hartford.

Q: Why was the homeless such a cause for him?

A: He passed away when I was 16; I never really asked him why that was the cause he felt so strongly about.

He was generous with a lot of people.

Q: How did you propose to your wife?

A: In a sailboat at sunset in Chatham, Mass. With roses and champagne and a captain named Jack who wore a tuxedo T-shirt – he said he wanted to dress for the occasion.

Q: That wasn’t even the most romantic thing you did for Julie.

A: (Laughs). I’m still living off this – for her to be reminded of it wouldn’t be a bad thing. I called her boss and checked to see if she could take Friday off and I booked a flight for the two of us to Paris for the weekend (for her 30th birthday).

Q: Coaching the Kew Colts inAustralia?

A: We had a 44-year-old, ex-Vietnam vet named Fossil; we had a 6-5, 16-year-old we called Stick; we had bouncers at nightclubs – just an eclectic group of people.

Q: You must have been a small heavyweight when you won the Double L state championship in high school.

A: (Chuckles). I’d be better suited for that now. At that point, I was probably like 215.

Q: Provide a scouting report on Eric Mangini the Wesleyan nose tackle.

A: I would say very good motor and good instincts.

Q: Quick hitters: Romeo Crennel?

A: Unbelievable coach; great person; great friend.

Q: Tom Brady?

A: A great competitor; great leader and just a really good person.

Q: Tedy Bruschi?

A: Very passionate and a great leader.

Q: Red Sox or Yankees?

A: It would be the Cleveland Indians (brother-in-law Mark Shapiro is GM) for me.

Q: You worked summers at Max Bibo’s Deli in Hartford; did you make sandwiches?

A: I did make sandwiches, I did all the cleaning up and prep, I delivered.

Q: You were a substitute teacher?

A: You’re going to a radically different environment every day; I taught from kindergarten through high school.

Q: Three dinner guests?

A: My father and my uncle (Frank); the third wouldn’t matter at that point for me.

Q: Favorite athlete outside football and why?

A: Dan O’Brien. I just think his story, the things he overcame, were incredible, and the success he had in the decathlon is just amazing.

Q: Favorite movie?

A: “Shawshank Redemption.”

Q: Favorite actor?

A: Robert De Niro.

Q: Favorite actress?

A: Charlize Theron.

Q: “The Simpsons” and “Family Guy” are your favorite TV shows?

A: And I really like “The Office.” It’s pretty funny.

Q: Favorite meal?

A: New York strip steak and twicebaked potatoes.

Q: Favorite New York restaurant?

A: Il Mulino.