It took a while, and a lot of losses, but the Jacksonville Jaguars parted ways with head coach Gus Bradley recently. Bradley, given ample time, simply couldn’t get the Jaguars going, despite a tremendous amount of hype heading into the 2016 season.
Not only did Jacksonville under-perform they also have seen young-quarterback Blake Bortles take steps backward, alarming steps. Bortles has looked more like a backup quarterback, apt for spot starts, as opposed to a franchise quarterback and the cornerstone of a building process, which the Jags were hoping he would be.
With Bradley gone, the list of coaching candidates is already being drawn up by fans and with plenty of options, one name stands out on top; Tom Coughlin.
It wasn’t long ago that Coughlin was jettisoned from the New York Giants, where he won 2 Super Bowls, and the divorce wasn’t exactly a happy and peaceful one. Coughlin is, more than likely, still a bit pissed off about how things went down. After all, it seemed like the Giants just kicked Coughlin to the curb, heartlessly.
But now Coughlin has an opportunity to get back into coaching again and with a team he enjoyed the early successes of his career with, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Coughlin will interview with the Jaguars this week, and the stars seem to be aligning for a Coughlin return to Jacksonville, which would be a feel good story for a franchise that has been enduring a disappointing season.
And about Black Bortles? This report states he is no fan of Blake Bortles. Yikes.
While Bortles may not be campaigning for Coughlin to come to town, one Jaguars player is, cornerback Prince Amukamara who spent 5 seasons with Coughlin in New York.
Amukamara had plenty to say about a potention Jaguars/Coughlin reunion.
“It would be a great fit, wherever he goes,” Amukamara said. “I think it’s sexier here, because his family and Jay Fund foundation is down here. He’s coached here. He’s available, and this job is available. It would complete the story.”
“I think guys would respond well to coach Coughlin, wherever he goes,” Amukamara said. “Not only because of his track record with the two Super Bowls, but mainly because he gets the best out of his players, and he fights for his players. You’re getting a guy that loves his players, loves his team and will treat you like men. It’s all about winning with him.”
Jaguars fans may have suffered through a painful season, but the prospect of a Coughlin return has to lift the spirits of the Jags’ fan base.