LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Coach Tom Coughlin upon the occasion
of 12 distinguished seasons with the New York Giants Football Team

WHEREAS, Excellence and success in competitive sports at the profes-
sional level can be achieved only through strenuous practice, team play
and team spirit, nurtured by dedicated and outstanding coaching and
strategic planning; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body to acknowledge
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of those
outstanding professional coaches, whose dedication and achievements have
been an inspiration to citizens of the great State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concerns, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
Head Coach Tom Coughlin upon the occasion of 12 distinguished seasons
with the New York Giants Football Team; and
WHEREAS, A native of Waterloo, New York, Tom Coughlin graduated from
Waterloo High School in 1964, where he was an outstanding student-ath-
lete playing varsity football and still holds his school's single season
record for touchdowns scored; and
WHEREAS, Tom Coughlin continued his playing career at Syracuse Univer-
sity where he started as a wingback on the football team; in 1967, he
set the university's single-season pass receiving record, and was
presented with Syracuse's Orange Key Award as the school's most
outstanding scholar-athlete; and
WHEREAS, After college, Tom Coughlin began his coaching career as a
graduate assistant at Syracuse in 1969; he was then hired for his first
head coaching job at the Rochester Institute of Technology where he
served from 1970 to 1973, before returning to his alma mater as the
quarterbacks and offensive backfield coach; and
WHEREAS, In 1981, Tom Coughlin became the offensive coordinator at
Boston College where he helped the team win its first bowl game, as well
as the Lambert-Meadowlands Trophy in 1983; and
WHEREAS, This esteemed leader entered the coaching ranks of the
National Football League in 1984 as the wide receivers coach of the
Philadelphia Eagles; he also served in coaching capacities for the Green
Bay Packers, and helped the New York Giants achieve their second Super
Bowl victory as an assistant coach; and
WHEREAS, After leaving the NFL to become head coach of Boston College
in 1991, Tom Coughlin transformed the school's football program into a
Top 20 team, capping his college career with a win over top ranked Notre
Dame and a victory over Virginia in the Carquest Bowl; and
WHEREAS, Tom Coughlin's success at Boston College led to his being
named the first head coach of the National Football League's Jackson-
ville Jaguars; during his eight seasons with the team, he helped the
Jaguars become the most successful expansion club in NFL history and led
them to two AFC Championship games; he was also named the 1996 NFL Coach
of the Year by United Press International; and
WHEREAS, On January 6, 2004, Tom Coughlin was named the 16th Head
Coach of the New York Giants; he compiled records of 6-10, 11-5, and 8-8
in his first three regular seasons, and helped his team reach the play-
offs in both 2005 and 2006; and
WHEREAS, Coach Tom Coughlin's underdog New York Giants were victorious
over the previously undefeated New England Patriots by a score of 17-14
in Super Bowl XLII to become the Champions of the National Football
League; it was Coach Coughlin's first Super Bowl win; and
WHEREAS, Four years later, Tom Coughlin attained his second NFL Cham-
pionship as Head Coach by guiding the Giants to an exciting 21-17

triumph in their rematch against the New England Patriots at Super Bowl
XLVI; and
WHEREAS, Over his illustrious 18 year career as an NFL Head Coach, Tom
Coughlin amassed an impressive 182 victories, including 110 wins leading
the New York Giants; he is ranked 12th on the all-time regular season
victories list with 172 games won; and
WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his devoted wife of more than
40 years, Judy; their four children, Keli (Chris), Katie (Chris), Brian
(Susan), and Tim (Andrea); and ten grandchildren, Emma Rose, Dylan,
Shea, Cooper, Caroline May, Marin Elizabeth, Wesley, Brennon, Clara
Amelia and Walker, all of whom feel privileged to be a part of his life,
and rejoice in all of his successes and achievements; and
WHEREAS, Tom Coughlin's positive demeanor, selfless commitment, and
caring concern have contributed to his enduring success as a coach and
mentor, earning him the just respect and admiration of his community,
his peers, and the athletes he has so ably coached; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when excep-
tional leaders of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Coach Tom Coughlin upon the occasion of 12 distinguished seasons
with the New York Giants Football Team, and to wish him all the best in
his future endeavors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Coach Tom Coughlin.