The first pillar of the Jacksonville Jaguars as a franchise is the newest member of the Pride of the Jaguars.
Former Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin, who was hired as the franchise's first-ever head coach, was announced on Thursday as the seventh member of the team's Hall of Fame.
Coughlin will be inducted at an undetermined date in 2024.
Coughlin will join Tony Boselli (inducted 2006), Wayne and Delores Weaver (2012), Fred Taylor (2012), Mark Brunell (2013) and Jimmy Smith (2016) in the Pride.
"Named the first head coach of the Jaguars on February 21, 1994, Coughlin constructed the team from scratch, unabashedly implementing a football operation predicated on hard work and discipline," the Jaguars said in a release.
"His players reacted in kind, posting 68 victories in eight seasons (72 including the playoffs), three of which were double-digit win campaigns (1997-99). Along the way, two division titles (1998, ’99) and four postseason berths (1996-99) were secured, including a pair of AFC Championship Games appearances (1996, ’99). Along the way, Coughlin drafted/developed, coached and showcased the talents of franchise greats like Boselli (tapped by Coughlin as the first draft selection in franchise history), Taylor, Brunell and Smith, along with defensive mainstays like Tony Brackens, Kevin Hardy and Donovin Darius.
“The story of the Jaguars’ cannot be told without Tom Coughlin and the influence he had on our expansion team and new fan base here in North Florida,” said Boselli.
“He is our foundational figure and the initial architect. He built our football operation and set it up for sustained success. Beyond all the remarkable on-field achievements, he also showed everyone how an NFL team could win off the field by positively impacting the communities surrounding us. Speaking for the PRIDE and the entire Jaguars organization, we are collectively excited to celebrate Coach and thank him for positive impact his NFL legacy will forever have on the Jaguars and throughout Jacksonville.”
Coughlin’s selection to the Pride was based on the collective participation and recommendations of current team owner Shad Khan and an independent cross section of former players, media and executives with longstanding familiarity with the franchise.
"It means everything to me. Because you go through emotional stages in your life, too," Coughlin said to Boselli when the Hall of Fame left tackle informed him of his selection.
"And the one thing I have always done, no matter where I have done it, I always talked to you and the players about showing ownership for your team for the right reasons, and to be a part of something that was going to grow and develop. So it means a great deal to me, it really does."
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