Tom Coughlin's Hall of Fame snub exposes NFL's blatant hypocrisy

Tom Coughlin is a name synonymous with winning. Whether it was building the Jacksonville Jaguars into the most successful expansion team in NFL history or leading the New York Giants to two of the most improbable Super Bowl victories ever, Coughlin’s resume screams Hall of Fame. Yet, once again, he finds himself left off the list of finalists for Canton.

During his eight years in Jacksonville, Coughlin guided the Jaguars to four straight playoff appearances, two AFC Championship games, and a level of success the franchise has not seen since.

He cemented his legacy in New York, leading the Giants to two titles by defeating Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the once-good-at-football New England Patriots. If thwarting history twice doesn’t get you into the Hall of Fame, what does?

This year, Coughlin was passed over in favor of Mike Holmgren, a fine coach in his own right, but one whose achievements pale compared to Coughlin’s postseason success. This decision doesn’t just snub a legendary coach, it exposes the NFL’s hypocrisy regarding how it values winning.

If winning means everything in the NFL, then former NY Giants HC Tom Coughlin should be in

The NFL loves to preach that winning is the ultimate metric. Coaches and players alike are judged by their ability to win on the biggest stage, which makes Coughlin’s omission even more baffling. This is the same league that celebrates dynasties, clutch performances, and championship rings above all else. Yet here we are, with Coughlin on the outside looking in.

Take Holmgren, for instance. He has one Super Bowl ring as a head coach and another two as an assistant. Coughlin has three total, two as a head coach and one as an assistant, and a significantly better playoff win percentage (.632 compared to Holmgren’s .542). Holmgren coached some of the most talented rosters in NFL history, yet Coughlin beat the unbeatable Patriots twice with his gritty underdog Giants.

If winning is the standard, why isn’t Coughlin already in Canton?

Coughlin’s snub highlights a bigger issue with the Hall of Fame selection process. The NFL talks a big game about valuing postseason success, yet regular-season records and perceived media appeal seem to carry more weight. Holmgren’s regular-season winning percentage is higher, but Coughlin outperformed him when it mattered most. Isn’t that what the Hall of Fame is supposed to celebrate?

And then there is the double standard. Belichick, often hailed as the greatest coach of all time, is revered for his rings, postseason brilliance, and ability to adapt. Coughlin beat Belichick twice on the grandest stage. Yet, instead of being rewarded, he is penalized for not having the same consistent regular-season success.

The NFL also seems to undervalue what Coughlin achieved in Jacksonville. Building a team from scratch and turning it into a contender is no small feat, yet it's rarely part of the conversation. Instead, Holmgren’s ability to inherit and coach star-studded rosters is celebrated.

Coughlin’s exclusion is a slap in the face to the idea championships matter most. If the NFL truly valued winning, Tom Coughlin would already have his gold jacket.

Until that happens, the league’s message is clear: winning matters, just not for everyone.

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