Behavior of The New York Giants Coach Shows What’s Wrong About American Sports
He may be going to the Super Bowl, but New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin is not super.
What is the one moment you may remember about Sunday night’s Giants win over Green Bay, broadcast to millions of people around the world?
Could it be the moment when the Giant’s kicker missed a field goal, and returned to the bench. His greeting from the Giant’s coach was a screaming tirade. It was enough to throw the words “we play as a team” out to the trash. Coughlin showed what he was about. Instead of patting the kicker on the back, and cheering him on. he degraded him in front of the world.
Sure enough. minutes later, the kicker, Lawrence Tynes, missed another field goal, perhaps freaked-out by his selfish coach. Ironically, the same kicker won the game in overtime, but no thanks to the coach.
This is not the first time Coughlin has dumped on his players in public. He trashed the quarterback, Eli Manning, almost the entire season of 2006.
Why I am writing this? Because his actions diminish sports in general, and promote the concept that anger and emotional abuse in managing people is a horrible American trait, in any profession, including pro sports.
Real leaders are managers by example, by positive motivation, and by setting standards high. A manager should be a teacher, a mentor, and a real leader, not pompous or self-indulgent, or ready to shame his employee in public.
Would you ever see Andy Reid do that to a player? Or Charlie Manuel?
The toughest football coaches in the world are also great motivators of people, bringing the best out in them.
That “Tom Coughlin” moment was a disgrace to all of sports. It was a toxic moment in the world of sports, which is, as you know, is all about fun and games. How you lose is as important as how you win. How you win, and the grace you show under pressure, really tells you more about a person than his talent.
This is not sour grapes because the Giants are going to the big show, and not the Eagles. This is a commentary on what counts, for the young people who were watching this moment, and the rest of us who enjoy sports and hate to watch someone take the joy out of it.
Well put Larry. I was also disgusted by Coughlin’s behavior. It drives me nuts when people say that “Andy Reid needs to show more intensity and scream more on the sidelines.” I know these guys are athletes making too much money, but does screaming at someone and putting them down ever work, for any job? Andy’s problems as a coach are far beyond whether he yells at players or not.
PS. “Ticket to Ride” was an awesome book.
Larry, I disagree. I don’t know what Mr. Tynes earns, but he’s a professional football player. He gets paid to perform.
If this was Little League football, or even high school or college, you’d get no argument from me.
But at the professional level, we expect more. It’s no different than being a high paid executive — the greater the salary, the greater the expectations.
Larry
Tom Coughlin’s behavior is immature, childish and makes you want to see him lose the game. I had expected him to lose each of the three playoff games and he found a way to win!
He may win the Super Bowl or he may not win the Super Bowl, but he got his players there and that what matters at all. Had he lost any of the playoff games or failed to make the playoffs, he would be fired for sure.
The sad fact is that coaches are like disposable toilet paper!
James
This is as if someone would yell at a professional journalist in the United States for spelling behavior with a u. It makes one cringe to see such blatant mistakes. You’ll get ‘em next time, Larry. *pat on butt*
Tom Coughlin’s behavior is meaning-less in the scheme of things. The question is: Under Coughlin’s leadership (no matter the style), did or did not the NY Giants make it to the Super Bowl?
Under Andy Reid’s leadership (failure to keep a first string quarterback on the team, knowing that your Prima-donny will not be able to funtion at 100%) did or did not the Eagles end up a mediocre 8-8?
In footbal, winning IS EVERYTHING…why, even the Colleges have become free minor league football teams for the NFL, no?
Leo: Part of the fun is to read the letters. Behavior is correct, either way. You must be having a boring day!
And Chris: Thanks.
Joe: Good points, as usual, but what a bad example Coughlin sets.
Larry
LK: Boring enough to read comments pillorying Coughlin for acting like most other people under intense stress. I’m guessing you weren’t a big fan of General Patton either.
Hey, how about this:
“ It was a toxic moment in the world of sports, which is, as you know, is all about fun and games.”
I guess it depends on what the meaning of is is. ;)
Yeah, how dare he yell at his six-figure kicker for missing…..twice. It might hurt his psyche.
I mean, it’s not like the made the Super Bowl or anything……
hello Larry,Tom Couglin took a team that was expected to come in last place in the division,he has a military type way of coaching,a lot of his players did not like him that much,but winning makes him easier to deal with,and the kicker did focus and make the last one, and may be the difference in the superbowl.
and Andy Reid took a team that was picked to go to the superbowl and were horrible,and if Andy Reid would have got in his Kid’s faces maybe they would not be in Prison.
the eagles won 3 exhibition games at the end of the season to make it to 8-8,so basically i agree with Jersey Joe.
GIANTS 26 PATRIOTS 24
Larry:
I can appreciate your perspective, however, in this case I disagree. In professional sports, athletes are compensated extremely well to perform at a high level. By missing two relatively short field goals Mr. Tynes was not doing his job. Mr. Tynes miscues could have potentially cost his company (the NY Giants) tens of millions of dollars in revenue and PR…not to mention his boss (Mr. Coughlin) his job. With all that on the line, I dont blame Mr. Coughlin for being a bit ticked off. This isnt Pop Warner football, this is the multi billion dollar world of the NFL….theres a difference.
Larry is right on, a true leader is not a barbarian, the coach or any coach could have handled this professionally off-screen. Guess some readers and the Giants coach are just rude, forget the money, the weather was bad, the game a challenge and not every professional athelete performs 100+ percent all the time. Tough being human. I say Coughlin blew it for some fans and kids.
Sounds like a bitter old broadcaster who can’t get a job on TV anymore…. sad that you need this blog to make yourself feel relevant. Go play some golf or fish…. just leave us alone.
guess some of your readers have not been in the heat of competition.
most nfl coaches are rude,have you listened to a andy reid press conference after a big game loss.
and like i said before if andy reid took care of business at home his kids would not be in prison,so i say reid blew it.
and i say tom coughlin,has most of his fans young and old feeling pretty good.
Vince Lombardi was not very well liked when he coached and the super bowl trophy is named after him.
Tom: You spelled your own name wrong. As far as age, that ageism is pretty disgusting stuff, whoever you are. Leo, I hope you keep writing. I like your spirit, somewhat.
And Giants fans…keep writing,
>>Tom: You spelled your own name wrong.
LOL!
I can’t say whether Coughlin was right or wrong in that particular case. I coach my two sons’ baseball teams. I never degrade or criticize any kid, especially in front of the team. But sometimes a little kick in the butt (figuratively) can help as a wakeup call.
BTW, great blog Larry - I look forward to it every day, and the guys who post here too, even the ones I disagree with.
Thanks.