There was one minute, 45 seconds left in the game and the Jaguars had just taken a 10-point lead. Most people would be breathing a sigh of relief and getting ready for the celebration.

Not Coughlin.

Ben Roethlisberger threw an incomplete pass and a Jaguars player hit the receiver a little late, which Coughlin, the Jaguars’ VP of football operations, worried would draw a flag.

“What is he doing?” Coughlin exclaimed from the second row of the Heinz Field press box in language a little saltier than that.

Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell quickly gave his boss a “shhhh,” mindful there were about 50 reporters within earshot.

Coughlin’s passion was on display for the entire afternoon Sunday in Pittsburgh. That passion has trickled through a Jacksonville organization that has been terrible for years. Coach Doug Marrone gets a ton of credit for what the Jaguars have done, but Coughlin’s fingerprints are on this team, too.

Now, Coughlin gets to face old friend Bill Belichick and the Patriots for another shot at the Super Bowl. The two were assistants under Bill Parcells with the Giants. Coughlin has proven to be Belichick’s Kryptonite, beating him twice in Super Bowls, including handing the Patriots the 1 in their 18-1 season in 2007.

It is an awkward bit of NFL logistics that leave visiting executives sitting in the press box in many stadiums. Coughlin surely hates it. But it was a fascinating window into a man New Yorkers know so well from his 12 seasons as Giants head coach.

Many executives sound like whiny schoolchildren during games, slamming the tabletops or blaming the referees for every play that does not go their way. But Coughlin was not like that. Sure, he cried out for a few holding calls, but overall his attention was focused on his team, exhorting the Jaguars defensive linemen to “get up in there” on runs and defensive backs to close the gaps with receivers. There was plenty of colorful language and muttering under his breath. Surely, he was holding back because of his surroundings, making you wonder what he was like on a sideline.

Coughlin’s passion oozed from every pore. If Giants fans were able to sit within earshot, they would love the man more than they already do for bringing two Lombardi Trophies to East Rutherford. He was like the friend you have over to watch the game and then hope the kids don’t come into the room to hear him swearing at the TV.

Simply put, he cares as much as you do.

Is that as important as wins to fans? No. But it is nice to see in this age of robotic NFL coaches and executives. In a world of Ben McAdoo saying he needs to watch the tape before offering an opinion on anything or Todd Bowles looking like he lacks a pulse, the 71-year-old Coughlin is as invested as the fans are.

During the game Sunday, Coughlin took nonstop notes. After every play, he was jotting things down. When Telvin Smith took a Roethlisberger fumble 50 yards for a touchdown, other Jaguars executives were celebrating. Coughlin wore a pained expression when he saw Smith get flagged for taunting on his way into the end zone. He then returned to his notes.

Coughlin’s history with the Patriots probably won’t mean much Sunday in Foxborough. After all, he’ll be upstairs again for that game, not on the sideline. But in this game where it feels like the Jaguars are 35-point underdogs, Coughlin can pass along a message to his team that the mighty Patriots can be beaten.

No one knows that better than him.