Yes, he worries about the stress inherent in his profession.
No, that worry is not going to prevent him from adhering to his grinding schedule as head coach of the Giants.
In the past few days, Tom Coughlin has seen colleagues in the NFL coaching profession — younger colleagues — suffer health issues that will keep them off the sideline and away from the practice field.
“I worry about it, but when you sign up for it, it kind of goes along with it unless somehow the competitive aspect of the game changes,’’ Coughlin said on Monday as the Giants returned from their bye-week respite. “It’s just as much that as it is anything else. It’s all about the grinding away inside, the competitive part of this thing. It’s all part of it. It’s what the individuals are made of that are at this level.’’
Coughlin, 67, is the oldest head coach in the league. On Saturday, the Broncos coach, John Fox, 58, experienced dizziness while playing golf during the Broncos’ bye week and was immediately hospitalized. On Monday, he underwent aortic valve replacement surgery and the heart procedure will keep him out of commission for several weeks. Fox knew about the heart condition, but believed he could get through the season before having the surgery.
On Sunday night, Texans coach Gary Kubiak, 52, collapsed while walking off the field at halftime of the Texans’ game against the Colts. Kubiak did not suffer a heart attack and remains hospitalized while he undergoes a battery of tests.
“My thoughts go right to two personal friends that I have that are obviously in need of our prayers and best wishes,’’ Coughlin said. “I don’t know much about Gary’s situation. I did text John back and forth a little bit. I told him we would pray for him and I think he’ll come back stronger than ever.’’
The issue of Coughlin’s age surfaced as the Giants lost their first six games this season. He received a glowing endorsement from general manager Jerry Reese, and Coughlin last week said if critics question his stamina and ability to do his job at his age, they should join him at the team facility at 5 a.m. each morning to see if they can keep up with him.
“Obviously people’s health is the most important thing, and you hate to see anyone get injured or sick, whether it’s a player, coach, or anything,’’ Eli Manning said. “This game can be stressful, it can take a lot of your time, a lot of your energy. Whether a player or a coach, there are commitments, you hope you’re not so committed that you’re doing something that’s harming your health.’’