Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 22, 1994 TAG: 9402220058
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: JACKSONVILLE, FLA. LENGTH: Medium
Tom Coughlin said thank you very much, and stayed at Boston College.
Now, given the chance to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars, one of the newest franchises in the NFL, Coughlin said thank you very much, and jumped at the chance.
"This is once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Coughlin said at a news conference Monday. "I have studied the opportunity in great depth and look forward to the challenges of establishing a team from the ground up."
Contract terms were not disclosed, although the Boston Globe reported Monday that Coughlin will receive $4 million over five years, making him the highest-paid rookie coach in NFL history.
Team president David Seldin would say only that the Jaguars have a long-term commitment to Coughlin.
Coughlin was offered the job Saturday and accepted it Sunday. He said he first talked with Jaguars officials about two weeks ago, and, "I began to actively share their vision."
The Jaguars begin play in 1995.
"I don't believe in miracles," he said. "I don't believe in shortcuts."
Coughlin said he will move to Jacksonville as soon as he can wrap up his work at Boston College. He said there is a "good possibility" he may bring some of his Boston College assistant coaches with him.
Coughlin's responsibilities go beyond coaching.
"We will not have a general manager," said J. Wayne Weaver, the Jaguars' owner, who added Coughlin and his staff will have "strong authority in the player personnel area."
"You can't hold him to winning on the field and tell him who his players are," Seldin said.
Coughlin did not make any recommendations for his successor at Boston College and said it would be difficult to talk to his players today.
In Boston, Chet Gladchuk, Boston College athletic director, wasn't happy about Coughlin's move.
"He did not fulfill his commitment to Boston College," Gladchuk said Monday.
The Eagles' athletic director said he hopes to have a new coach approved by the university's president within four weeks but declined to identify possible candidates.
by CNB