Coughlin, Michael

 

Michael Coughlin – (2002)

 

Old Lorain St. Mary High School produced numerous legendary athletes and sports figures, among them Don Bonko, Fred Churchill, Jim Gallagher and Jim Lawhead, all past enshrinees in the Lorain Sports Hall of Fame. Tonight, Mike Coughlin joins them.

Coughlin takes his place in the LSHOF based on his gridiron exploits at St. Mary (1964-68), and later at Northwestern University (1968-73). That he was destined for football greatness was apparent when, as a sophomore halfback, he rushed for 575 yards and also kicked field goals and extra points for Coach Bill Philbin’s Fighting Irish.

As a junior, he became a two-way player—halfback on offense and starting defensive back—in 1967 when the Irish rolled to the first of two consecutive undefeated 9-0 seasons. In Mike’s senior year, they dominated the North Central Conference. Coughlin was named team MVP, All-NCC and MVP, All-Lorain County, first team All-Ohio and a PD Dream Teamer.

His finest game was rushing for 266 yards in his final game against Midview, surpassing the school record (256 yards) held by Bonko, later a college great at West Point. Coughlin also scored five TDs in that game to win the county scoring title ahead of Al Robinson of Elyria, later a teammate at Northwestern. Coughlin rushed for 1,170 yards (7.3-yard average) and scored 133 points, plus being a defensive standout, in 1968 to attract numerous college offers.

Mike chose Northwestern (over Indiana, Colgate, Miami Ohio) where he became a three-year starting defensive back and was credited with helping turn the Wildcats from losers into winners, at one point ranking 19th nationally. Mike and his defensive backfield teammates (Jack Dustin, Rick Telander, Rich Hutchinson) set an NCAA record (allowing only 28% pass completions). His highlight game came in 1971 in Ohio State’s horseshoe stadium. Mike was awarded the game ball for his 12 solo tackles and an interception late in the game to stop an OSU drive, enabling NU to defeat the Buckeyes, 14-10.

However, his stellar collegiate career only earned him a “cup of coffee” pro NFL free agent tryout with the Chicago Bears in 1972. Now a resident of Sheffield Lake, Coughlin has one son, David, who lives in Orlando, Fla., and a stepdaughter, 8-year-old Breda.