Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan: Tom Coughlin being relieved of his duties

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said Wednesday night that Tom Coughlin, the team’s Executive Vice President of Football Operations, is being relieved of his duties.

Khan said General Manager Dave Caldwell and Head Coach Doug Marrone will report to him on an interim basis. Here is Khan’s statement:

“Within the past hour I informed Tom Coughlin that he was being relieved of his duties as Executive Vice President of Football Operations of the Jacksonville Jaguars, effective this evening. I determined earlier this fall that making this move at the conclusion of the 2019 season would be in everyone’s best interests but, in recent days, I reconsidered and decided to make this change immediately. I thank Tom for his efforts, not only over the past three years but for all he did from our very first season, 25 years ago, to put the Jacksonville Jaguars on the map. General Manager Dave Caldwell and Head Coach Doug Marrone will each report directly to me on an interim basis. My expectations, and those of our fans, for our final two games and the 2020 season are high.”

—  Jaguars owner Shad Khan

The move comes after the news came to light Monday that Coughlin tried to fine former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler more than $700,000 for missing “mandatory” appointments with a team trainer or physician.

NFL Players Association filed a grievance on behalf of Fowler and other Jaguars players, challenging the club’s right to discipline players in those circumstances. An arbitrator recently ruled in favor of the NFLPA, negating the fines levied by Jacksonville in 2018.

RELATED: Jacksonville Jaguars subject of scathing letter written by NFL Players Association

In a letter to players, the NFLPA wrote in part, "It should be noted that Jaguars players continue to be at odds with Jaguars management over their rights under the CBA far more than players on other clubs,” the NFLPA said. "In the last two years, more than 25% of the grievances filed by players in the entire league have been filed against the Jaguars.

“You as players may want to consider this when you have a chance to select your next club.”

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Action Sports Jax spoke with players who say they respect Coughlin and all he has done in the NFL -- but they said the fine system was a little much.

On Thursday, head coach Doug Marrone said he was grateful to have worked with Coughlin.

“To be around someone that has just a great heart, great principles, great family man. I think those are the things that come to my mine, but again, like I have said before, I have to lead these coaches and lead this team,” Marrone said.

Coughlin was the Jags’ first head coach from the team’s inaugural season in 1995 until 2002.

He then went on to coach the New York Giants from 2004 to 2015, where he led the team to two Super Bowl titles.

Khan brought Coughlin on as the EVP of Football Operations in 2017. During the 2017 season, the Jaguars won the AFC South and made it to the AFC Championship before being knocked out by the New England Patriots.

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