TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Coughlin's Style Results In Success

ADVERTISEMENT

By IRA KAUFMAN, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 6, 2008

TAMPA - Tom Coughlin has built the Giants in his image - tough and resourceful.

New York takes a 7-1 road mark into Raymond James Stadium today for Coughlin's 11th postseason game in 12 years as a head coach with the Giants and Jaguars.

Although he is one of only 33 coaches with 100 NFL wins, Coughlin always seems to be one false move away from the unemployment line. His authoritative style has grated on several high-profile players in New York, and Coughlin hasn't won a playoff game in eight years.

"I look at him as a no-nonsense guy who asks the same out of everybody," said Bucs center John Wade, who spent five years with Coughlin in Jacksonville. "He treated everyone the same, no matter who they were, and the man definitely knows his football. If you come to work and do what you're supposed to do, you won't have a problem with him."

Coughlin, 60, is a stickler for detail, and the man has an impressive track record for winning.

He quickly turned the expansion Jaguars into a perennial playoff team and Coughlin is 109-95 overall, but only 4-6 in the playoffs. The Giants hope to advance for the first time since the 2000 club that lost to the Ravens in the Super Bowl in Tampa.

The Giants have made the playoffs three consecutive seasons for the first time since Bill Parcells and Lawrence Taylor roamed the sidelines for Big Blue more than two decades ago.

"I've always liked competing against Tom Coughlin's teams," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said. "He's a hard-nosed coach. Wherever he's been, he's made a profound impact on people and he's won."

And he has done it his way.

In 1999, the former Boston College coach fined two Jacksonville players for arriving late for a team meeting - knowing both had been involved in a car accident.

Former Giants star running back Tiki Barber said Coughlin's inflexibility was a factor in his decision to retire from the NFL following the 2006 season, claiming Coughlin's rugged practices could be counter-productive.

With every Giants loss this season, the New York media zeroed in on Coughlin, raising questions about his professional future.

Coughlin was an assistant coach for the Giants and is well-versed in the franchise's proud history. As the NFC's No. 5 playoff seed, New York should bring some road confidence into today's game.

"The nature of the tournament is such that you lose and you are out, so obviously every team has the same exact circumstance that they have to perform under," Coughlin said. "We are going to put everything we have into it."

After a 10-6 regular season in which the Giants overcame Barber's departure and some key injuries, Coughlin has ample reason to feel secure in his job. But this is New York, where the tabloids compete for provocative headlines and Coughlin is an easy target.

"He's meticulous and he's a good coach," Wade said. "Do things right and you won't see much of him. Do it wrong and he's going to be on you. All I know is I had no issues with the man."

Reporter Ira Kaufman can be reached at (813) 259-7833 or ikaufman@tampatrib.com.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT