Waterloo (WSYR-TV) - There’s probably no place that will be rooting harder for the New York Giants Sunday than Waterloo – the birthplace of New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin.
People in the small Finger Lakes village are looking forward to celebrating another Super Bowl win for their native son.
Although he’s a high-profile NFL coach, Coughlin will always be part of Waterloo and the village will always be a part of him.
“It’s kind of like witnessing the American Dream right before your eyes,” said Don Northrup, who grew up in Coughlin’s neighborhood. “He grew up here…supported the village…the community…but he certainly had a strong work ethic and made himself into what he is.”
People lined the streets of the village when he returned after his last Super Bowl victory.
“More people on the streets than we do for any other event in Waterloo,” said Steve Jones. “It was amazing…people walking out in the middle of the road…getting autographs…shaking his hand.”
People that grew up with Coughlin say he’s more excited and intense than they remember, but still just a normal guy from Waterloo.
“He was dedicated back then…as dedicated as he is now,” said Ted Young, who grew up with Coughlin. “He always had a vision…I don’t think he really ever shared it with anyone, but he always wanted to better himself.”
One of Coughlin’s high school teammates, Gary Westfall, said the community rallies behind Coughlin.
“We’re proud. We’re happy,” he said. “Tom deserves the best and he doesn’t forget his roots.”
The house Coughlin grew up in is gone, but it’s the only thing that’s different for the coach since he left the town that still pronounces his name “Caulkin.”
“He’ll always be Tom Coughlin…correct even his grandmother said either one is correct, but ‘caulkin’ is the way she liked it,” Westfall said.
The media started to change it and Coughlin simply never corrected it.
Young – who is now the mayor of Waterloo – and Westfall, the town of Waterloo’s supervisor, say they’re not sure how they will honor Coughlin if his team wins on Sunday.
