On 16 October 1984, Coughlan was elected to the position of selector with the Cork senior football team before later assuming the position of coach. Cork's National Football League campaign ended with the team finishing bottom of Division 1 and being relegated to Division 2 for the following season. On 1 May 1985, Coughlan's side suffered a 2-11 to 0-04 defeat by Kerry in the final of the 1985 Ford Open Draw Cup. Both sides renewed their rivalry in the Munster final on 21 July 1985, with Cork losing out by 2-11 to 0-11.