After having no involvement at inter-county level during the respective 1975 Championships, Coughlan was recalled to the Cork senior hurling team in advance of the 1975-76 National Hurling League and was retained for the 1976 Munster Championship. On 1 August 1976, he won a third Munster Championship medal after lining out at left wing-back in Cork's 3-15 to 4-05 defeat of Limerick in the final. On 5 September 1976, Coughlan was again selected at left wing-back when Cork faced Wexford in the All-Ireland final. After being eight points down after just six minutes, Cork secured a 2-21 to 4-11 victory with Coughlan claiming his second All-Ireland medal and his first on the field of play. He ended the season by being named in the left wing-back position on the All-Star Team.