Everyone knows about Bill Belichick and his legendary coaching status. Belichick was the defensive coordinator for the NY Giants under Bill Parcells from 1985 to 1990. They claimed the Super Bowl title in 1986 and 1990, and his defensive units were never ranked worse than 11th in the NFL during that time frame. It should also be known that Belichick was able to turn around the awful Cleveland Browns in the mid-90’s. Belichick was hired after a 3-13 season in 1990 (which still remains Cleveland’s worst record in team history), and eventually led the team to an 11-5 finish in 1994, including a victory over Bill Parcells and the Patriots in the playoffs. However, Belichick’s team fell apart the next season after it was announced the Browns would move their franchise to Baltimore the following season. Now Belichick is with the Patriots…enough said. They have been the most dominating team in the NFL since his arrival, as Belichick has already led the Patriots to three Super Bowl titles.

NOW…Bill Belichick may be the better coach in this year’s Super Bowl, but the man on the other side has more impressive credentials than most people realize.  Tom Coughlin has experienced success everywhere he has been. Before arriving in Jacksonville as the Jaguars head coach in 1994, Coughlin was the head coach of Boston College, where he guided a previously struggling program to a 21-13-1 record. His tenure at Boston College included a 9-3 season in 1993, which included a victory over top-ranked Notre Dame and a final ranking of 12th in the USA Today/CNN Coaches Poll. After leaving Boston College, Coughlin became the head coach of the expansion Jaguars, where they became the only expansion team in NFL history to make the playoffs four of their first five seasons. In Jacksonville, Coughlin compiled a 68-60 record, including a 14-2 season in 1999, a 4-4 playoff record, and two appearances in the AFC Championship game. Those statistics would be good for any head coach, but to do it with an expansion team is very impressive.  Coughlin has coached in a Super Bowl before, but last time he was coaching with Bill Belichick. Thats right…Coughlin was the wide receivers coach for the 1990 New York Football Giants. Tom Coughlin knows offense and he knows quarterbacks. While the quarterbacks coach for Boston College from 1981-1983, Coughlin tutored a player by the name of Doug Flutie, who went on to win the heisman a year after his departure. Don’t be surprised if Eli Manning continues to get better…and don’t be surprised if the Giants give the Patriots all they can handle for the second time this season. Either way, I don’t think Tom Coughlin is on the hot seat anymore.