Friday, October 29, 1999Kinder Coughlin still rules Jags with iron hand
BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati EnquirerTom Coughlin has softened some of his rigid ways. Still, the Jacksonville Jaguars coach remains about as much fun as a Jim Gray interview.
Coughlin, who brings the Jaguars (5-1) to meet the Bengals (1-6) at Cinergy Field on Sunday, has relaxed some of his trivial rules that included no kneeling at practices. But despite recent stories by ESPN, The New York Times and Sports Illustrated that suggested he has mellowed, Coughlin disagrees.
“The only thing we've ever done is ask our players to be all they can be,” he said this week. “I don't know that I've let up.”
Coughlin used an iron hand in whipping the expansion Jaguars into line in 1995, and within two years the Jaguars were in the AFC title game. Coughlin, a Bill Parcells disciple with total control, has not relaxed much of that control since.
Reports from Jacksonville say the players respect Coughlin as a coach, but few like the way they are treated.
Coughlin stories are endless, including his first training camp in 1995 when he forced receivers Ernest Givins and Desmond Howard to go back inside and put on their pads for practice after they thought they would be sitting out with minor injuries.
Another Jaguar once suffered a knee injury, but Coughlin reportedly told him, “You'll be back in five days.” The player eventually had to have surgery.
“A lot of things are better now than they were in 1995, but a lot of things are worse,” one Jaguar told the Florida Times-Union. “He is even tighter because of all the pressure to win a Super Bowl. He's driving guys crazy. He has to back off some.”
Free safety Carnell Lake, who played for another firebrand coach in Pittsburgh's Bill Cowher, said Coughlin doesn't bother him.
“I've heard a lot of stories,” Lake said. “He's a very dedicated coach who demands a lot, but in the end, we've been able to win games. That's what matters.”
Most Coughlin horror stories are from players requesting anonymity, or players no longer with the Jaguars.
Bengals receiver Willie Jackson, a former Jaguar, has no harsh words but admittedly clashed with Coughlin over playing time. Bengals guard Brian DeMarco, who can't face his old team this week because of elbow surgery, didn't exactly see eye to eye with Coughlin.
“I want to play these guys more than you'll ever know,” DeMarco said.
Coughlin, 53, is known for breaking players' wills and building them up again. But he also has been more understanding recently about matters such as injuries, letting stars such as quarterback Mark Brunell (ribs) and running back Fred Taylor (hamstring) heal properly before rushing them back.
“I think he realizes we've had some injuries in past years that have hurt us down the stretch,” left tackle Tony Boselli said. “He wants to keep us as healthy as possible.”
And on their toes. With several Jaguars in the prime of their careers, Jacksonville is supposed to win big with a favorable schedule, a soft division and a strong team that should challenge for the Super Bowl.
“Certainly this is a more mature team. I have a stronger feeling that these players are dedicated to being all that they can be, so if that's the reason for that "let-up' term, fine,” Coughlin said. “We still demand just as much.”
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