As soon as I reconnect the negative battery cable, I hear the fuel pump relay latch and I hear the fuel pump charge the fuel rail. It seems to me that it's a component that the ECM is looking for before startup... I am suspecting that one of my sensors is not providing a strong enough signal...
I will still test the coil as you suggest. I'll let you know in the morning how it goes. Thanks for your help! I'd love to get this thing back to its old reliable self..