Giants: Coughlin draws flak
Friday, March 30, 2007
BY MIKE GARAFOLO
Star-Ledger Staff
Giants coach Tom Coughlin is under intense scrutiny once again -- only this time it has nothing to do with a coaching decision.
During a coaches' breakfast on Wednesday at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix, Coughlin fielded a question from a football Web site reporter about the way the media portrays him. Coughlin responded by saying only Adolf Hitler received harsher criticism than he has, the New York Daily News reported.
"I hear some of it and I see it. You know (Giants VP of communications Pat) Hanlon tells me about it, what's going on," the paper quoted Coughlin as saying. "Hitler and then me, in that order. Unfortunate, but it is."
The quotes did not sit well with Abraham H. Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League.
"Giants coach Tom Coughlin appears to be ignorant of who Hitler was and what he did when he likens criticism he received for a losing football season to that against the man who caused World War II, murdered 6 million Jews in the Holocaust and millions of others," Foxman said in a statement. "Using the comparison to Hitler in such a cavalier manner is insensitive and denigrates the memory of millions of Nazi victims. Coach Coughlin needs a reality check and some education."
Coughlin could not be reached for comment yesterday. Hanlon said the coach wasn't misquoted, but beyond that he had no further comment. Giants president John Mara and team chairman Steve Tisch did not respond to requests for comment.
Coughlin came under intense scrutiny from the media last season, especially when the Giants closed the season with just two victories in their final eight games. Columnists and commentators -- often with the use of players who were willing to bash their coach anonymously -- debated whether Coughlin should return for a fourth season.
Ownership stuck by Coughlin after the 8-8 season and a first-round playoff exit. The team gave the coach a one-year contract extension through the 2008 season.
It doesn't appear Coughlin's recent comments will have an effect on his tenure or the team's endorsement of him.
Mike Garafolo may be reached at
[email protected]
© 2007 The Star Ledger
© 2007 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.
Friday, March 30, 2007
BY MIKE GARAFOLO
Star-Ledger Staff
Giants coach Tom Coughlin is under intense scrutiny once again -- only this time it has nothing to do with a coaching decision.
During a coaches' breakfast on Wednesday at the NFL owners' meetings in Phoenix, Coughlin fielded a question from a football Web site reporter about the way the media portrays him. Coughlin responded by saying only Adolf Hitler received harsher criticism than he has, the New York Daily News reported.
"I hear some of it and I see it. You know (Giants VP of communications Pat) Hanlon tells me about it, what's going on," the paper quoted Coughlin as saying. "Hitler and then me, in that order. Unfortunate, but it is."
The quotes did not sit well with Abraham H. Foxman, the national director of the Anti-Defamation League.
"Giants coach Tom Coughlin appears to be ignorant of who Hitler was and what he did when he likens criticism he received for a losing football season to that against the man who caused World War II, murdered 6 million Jews in the Holocaust and millions of others," Foxman said in a statement. "Using the comparison to Hitler in such a cavalier manner is insensitive and denigrates the memory of millions of Nazi victims. Coach Coughlin needs a reality check and some education."
Coughlin could not be reached for comment yesterday. Hanlon said the coach wasn't misquoted, but beyond that he had no further comment. Giants president John Mara and team chairman Steve Tisch did not respond to requests for comment.
Coughlin came under intense scrutiny from the media last season, especially when the Giants closed the season with just two victories in their final eight games. Columnists and commentators -- often with the use of players who were willing to bash their coach anonymously -- debated whether Coughlin should return for a fourth season.
Ownership stuck by Coughlin after the 8-8 season and a first-round playoff exit. The team gave the coach a one-year contract extension through the 2008 season.
It doesn't appear Coughlin's recent comments will have an effect on his tenure or the team's endorsement of him.
Mike Garafolo may be reached at
[email protected]
© 2007 The Star Ledger
© 2007 NJ.com All Rights Reserved.
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