Carter Coughlin, a 6-foot-4, 212-pound four-star senior linebacker from Eden Prairie, is considered the top in-state product from the Class of 2016. Coughlin helped lead the number one ranked Eagles to a fourth straight state title last season. Coughlin was a big time commitment for the Gophers this summer and has been showing his natural leadership skills in bringing the 2016 recruiting class together throughout the summer.
Gopher Hole caught up with Coughlin after a 28-20 win over Maple Grove Friday night to learn the latest on his senior year.
Gopher Hole: It felt like a playoff atmosphere tonight. Is it kind of nice to get those type of games earlier in the season?
Carter Coughlin: Absolutely. We knew that they were a great team and they sure showed it out there. That was the definition of a grinder. I am glad that we got to play in a game like that because the past couple of games we have been winning by a large margin, so this team really, really challenged us and it was fun to play at that level and just like you said, it gets us ready for state.
Gopher Hole: You have now won 33 straight games, right?
Carter Coughlin: Something like that.
Gopher Hole: Does that pressure ever wear down on you guys a little bit or do you try not to focus on that?
Carter Coughlin: You know what, I don’t think that our coaches have brought it up once in the four years that I have been in high school, so nobody is really keeping track. We just out there and take each game by itself. We’re just out here to play a football game. We didn’t know about the streak. There is pressure, because we are the number one team in the state right now, but we are just out here playing.
Gopher Hole: This could be your third straight title, something that not many people can say they accomplished. What would that mean to you to possibly win three straight titles?
Carter Coughlin: That would be incredible. The fact that we already have four in a row is unheard of and five, people are saying, it is impossible, but they said four was impossible, too. It is incredible being part of this program. I owe it all to the coaches. They are men of character that I respect so much and they are the reason that our program is what it is.
Gopher Hole: You are getting used more on offense this season and even have a rushing touchdown. Do you like adding that to your game?
Carter Coughlin: Yes. Any way that I can get on the field is fun. It is fun to be able to help the team on offense and I don’t care if I get a handoff or if I am blocking, any way I can help, I love it.
Gopher Hole: You played last Thursday, so you maybe didn’t get a chance to see the Gophers play live.
Carter Coughlin: I was there. I made it by the second half.
Gopher Hole: What were your impressions of the atmosphere?
Carter Coughlin: I loved how they played. There are big things happening in Minneapolis. I can’t wait to be a part of that program, but right now, I am just focusing on high school football.
Gopher Hole: One of the big things people have talked about you is your leadership in terms of not only your own team, but getting to know your fellow Gopher commits. What prompted that?
Carter Coughlin: I don’t know. To be honest with you, we are all leaders. We’re all leading in different ways. I am just kind of helping get things set up because I want to be around those guys as much as I can to start it off because if we can start off our connection and relationship early, that is going to set us apart from all the other teams in the country.
Gopher Hole: I know that you spent that weekend with many of the commits in your cabin this summer. Have you been able to keep in touch with them since then?
Carter Coughlin: Absolutely. We have a group chat where if we are not seeing each other in person, we are keeping up in that and checking out how everyone is doing and what their season are like. The big plays that they are making and all that kind of stuff.
Gopher Hole: How much do you think that is going to help you guys in terms of building relationships and being a strong group of kids when you go into Minnesota?
Carter Coughlin: Like I said, we already have a great relationship and so that already puts us apart from every other team. I am so excited to play with those guys. They are all a bunch of great guys.
Gopher Hole: You are still a year away from the Gophers, but now you are finally a senior. Does it seem weird to be a senior finally?
Carter Coughlin: Yes. It is going to suck saying goodbye to this, because there is absolutely nothing like high school football and to be honest with you during this football season, I am not even thinking about the Gophers. It is fun being there on Saturdays, but this is what is most important to me and I’m not even focusing on that.
Gopher Hole: Obviously, they have a big game tomorrow. What is the atmosphere like at the Coughlin house, because your dad played at Minnesota, too?
Carter Coughlin: Oh, it is so fun. My dad got a big ole TV just to watch the games. He freaks out during the games. He yells at the TV. He is full of excitement and that is how it has been since I was growing up, so it is awesome.
Gopher Hole: What are you like?
Carter Coughlin: I have been more calm in the past, but now that I am a part of the program, I think that I am going to have that same reaction. It is going to be fun to watch it up close on the TV to see all the intricate details and all that stuff.