The Amazing Tom Coughlin

Many have recently discovered what a good coach Tom Coughlin is, but few go far enough back to see just how good Tom has been, especially when it comes to playing as an underdog.

Last night was supposed to be a lackluster game between two beaten teams, but of course the Giants showed the fight their coach demands of them, and came back from a 14 point deficit to win on the road.  It really should come as no surprise.

While at Boston College Tom’s team defeated Notre Dame for their first time in the history of the program, but they just didn’t beat any Notre Dame team, they beat an undefeated Lou Holtz team on their way to a National Championship. A Field Goal capped a late BC rally against the previously undefeated Irish in a nationally-televised game on Nov. 20, 1993. When the ball sailed through the uprights as time expired, it knocked Coach Lou Holtz’ Notre Dame team out of the No. 1 spot in the national polls in the final regular season game of the year for the Irish.  Amazing!

Then hired by the expansion Jacksonville Jaguars he helmed the most successful expansion franchise in league history.  Reaching the AFC Championship twice starting with their second year in existence.  The Jaguars visited the Buffalo Bills in their first playoff game in franchise history. Despite being a heavy underdog, the Jaguars won 30–27, and knocked Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly out of what would turn out to be the last game of his career. Their next game was on the road against the Denver Broncos, who had earned the AFC’s top seed with a 13–3 record and were widely regarded as the best team in the AFC, if not the NFL. While the Broncos scored two touchdowns early in the game, after the first quarter, the Jaguars largely dominated. In what is often regarded as one of the three biggest upsets in NFL playoff history, the Jaguars defeated the Broncos, 30–27. Amazing!

With the Giants their have been many moments.  The top one being the defeat of the Patriots in Super Bowl 42 ending the perfect season for the Patriots.  Also the Giants went to New England in 2011 and ended the Patriots’ NFL record home-game winning streak, after a touchdown pass from Manning to Jake Ballard with 15 seconds left in the game.

In 2008 they welcomed in the Baltimore Ravens and their great defense who hadn’t given up 100 yards rushing to a back in a few seasons.  What did Tom Coughlin do?  He had the Giants line up in passing formations…and ran the ball for 207 yards.  The Ravens still claim victory because they gave up 96 yards to Bradshaw, 73 to Jacobs and 41 to Derrick Ward….some victory!

The Giants have defeated the Green Bay Packers twice in Green Bay during the playoffs.  They defeated the number one seed Dallas Cowboys in Dallas during their 2007 Super Bowl run.  They have routinely won the games they shouldn’t win, and ended many streaks along the way.  What’s your favorite moment?

Tom never shrinks from any challenge, and he has passed that personality onto his team.