Tom Coughlin, legendary head coach turned failed exec, inducted to Pride of the Jaguars

Ryan OLeary

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Tom Coughlin, legendary head coach turned failed exec, inducted to Pride of the Jaguars image

Tom Coughlin, who led the Jacksonville Jaguars expansion franchise into a perennial playoff contender in the late 1990s, was inducted in the Pride of the Jaguars during halftime of Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium.

The Jaguars are celebrating their 30th season in 2024, and Coughlin was a key architect; although, his second tenure with the franchise, as Executive Vice President of Football Operations in 2017, ended in shambles amid heavy criticism and accusations of player mistreatment.

Coughlin remains the most accomplished head coach in Jaguars history. From 1994 to 2002, he led the team to four consecutive playoff berths from 1996-99, including a pair of AFC title game appearances in 1996 and ’97. All told, his teams posted 68 victories (72 total including playoffs), with three double-digit win seasons and a pair of AFC South division titles.

Coughlin returned to lead Jacksonville’s front office in 2017, and the team promptly made a run to the AFC Championship Game. The on-field product declined from that point, however, and Coughlin was fired amid controversy in December of 2019.

Why the Jaguars fired Tom Coughlin during the 2019 season

The NFL Players' Association won an arbitration grievance against the Jacksonville Jaguars after Coughlin fined players not receiving offseason medical treatment at team facilities — a clear violation of collective bargaining agreement rules.

As a result, the Jaguars were forced to pay players back, and Coughlin received criticism for alienating his team through unnecessary punishment.

The grievance case, which drew anti-Jacksonville comments from former players, added to a long list of problems during Coughlin's reign. The Jaguars went from reaching the 2017 AFC championship game and boasting perhaps the best young defense in the league to consecutive losing seasons and numerous star departures. Defensive mainstays Jalen Ramsey and Dante Fowler left for the Rams via separate trades, likely contributing to the unit's recent downturn.

Owner Shad Khan made the decision to fire Coughlin from his exec role immediately, rather than waiting until the end of the season. 

Every Pride of the Jaguars honoree

  • Tom Coughlin (2024) 
  • Jimmy Smith (2016)
  • Wayne Weaver (2012)
  • Mark Brunell (2013)
  • Delores Weaver (2012)
  • Fred Taylor (2012)
  • Tony Boselli (2006)

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Ryan OLeary

Ryan OLeary Photo

Ryan O'Leary has spent his entire professional career in sports multimedia, working as journalist, editor, podcaster, and in live events as a content manager and show emcee. His career highlights include working as a podcast host and audio editor for USA TODAY Sports Media Group, where he led a series of NFL podcasts for the company’s top-performing NFL sites. A born and raised New Englander, Ryan’s career kicked-off in newspapers after graduating from the University of New Hampshire with a degree in journalism. He developed an affinity for small-town youth, high school and college sports, while also realizing his childhood dream of covering the Patriots in multiple AFC Championship Games. Ryan enjoys kicking it with family and friends, beating his dad and brother in chess, and arguing with anyone crazy enough to insist that Tom Brady isn’t the GOAT.