Coughlin's connections to Boston, good and bad, are deep

On Sunday afternoon, Tom Coughlin's Jacksonville Jaguars will take on the New England Patriots with the AFC Championship on the line. 
 
For some Patriots fans, the name Tom Coughlin brings back some memories they more than likely have attempted to forget. 
 
Coughlin, who was hired as the Jaguars executive vice president at the conclusion of last season, was the head coach of the New York Giants when they pulled one of the greatest upsets in NFL history, a 17-14 win in Super Bowl XLII that spoiled the Patriots chance at an undefeated season.

Four years later, the Coughlin-led Giants clipped the Patriots 21-17 in Super Bowl XLVI on a game-winning touchdown run by Ahmad Bradshaw with 57 seconds remaining. 

Since returning to Jacksonville, where he held his first NFL head coaching job, Coughlin has placed his imprint on the team, stressing responsibility, accountability and toughness. 

Patriots coach Bill Belichick was asked about Coughlin's impact on the Jacksonville franchise. 

"That's a tough question to answer," said Belichick. "Doug is the head coach and I think he's done a great job down there with that team. What exact role Tom has, you would have to talk to them. I don't know."
 
While Coughlin may be known around New England for seemingly having what few else have – a recipe to beat the Patriots – his roots in the region extend beyond that. 
 
The Waterloo, New York native broke into the NFL coaching ranks in 1984 as the Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers coach, but his prior stop was actually at Chestnut Hill, as the quarterbacks coach at Boston College. It was in that post that Coughlin worked hand-in-hand with eventual Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie. 
 
After coaching eight seasons in the NFL, Coughlin returned to Boston College in 1991, this time as a head coach. In three years, he helped guide the program, which had won 14 games over its previous four years, to a 23-13 mark, famously knocking off top-ranked Notre Dame in 1993 and winning the 1994 Carquest Bowl.
 
Coughlin's work with the Eagles led him to his first NFL head coaching gig in 1995 with the Jaguars, who he's re-joined with his sights once again set on ending the Patriots' season prematurely. 

Nate Rollins is an intern in the Boston 25 Sports department

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