Category: Shad Khan

Lot J bill gets rejected, Shad Khan to move on to a shipyard project

The Jacksonville City Council had their vote for Shad Khan’s Lot J project outside of TIAA Bank Field Tuesday, and with a 12-7 result, the bill fell one vote short of what was needed (13). However, after the process Jags president Mark Lamping …

The Jacksonville City Council had their vote for Shad Khan’s Lot J project outside of TIAA Bank Field Tuesday, and with a 12-7 result, the bill fell one vote short of what was needed (13). However, after the process Jags president Mark Lamping immediately mentioned moving on to the shipyards project, which would also take place near the stadium.

The project was one that would’ve cost taxpayers $233 million and was a $450 million development deal overall. Included in it would’ve been an entertainment venue, hotel, residential areas, office spaces, bars/ restaurants, and retail shops.

The bill to remove the breadbox loan worth $65 million was voted on before the bill for Lot J on Tuesday, too. The vote for that garnered a 12-7 figure, with 12 voting yes and seven voting no. In a nutshell, there was a possibility that Khan and the project’s developer, Cordish Companies, wouldn’t have to compensate taxpayers for the loan, which made some skeptical.

When looking at the project overall, it was very close to passing but the transparency of the overall deal seemed to be the main issue. Per Ben Becker of Action News Jax, a council member even said the bill would’ve passed if the developer and Khan gave an inch on the breadbox loan.

With renovations for TIAA Bank Field coming up around 2023, many fans expressed that they would be fine with Lot J if it was packaged with stadium improvements, which would be tied to a lease extension. In that scenario, the team would be getting something necessary to keep the Jags in Jacksonville while Khan’s goal to revitalize downtown would’ve been fulfilled to a degree, too.

While the bill failing to pass doesn’t exactly help the growth of downtown, all hope isn’t lost. Maybe the shipyards project could be passed with better transparency, though it’s certain to come with hurdles as all projects do.

Report: Jags to meet with Urban Meyer Friday, will continue HC search afterward

The Jags will meet with Urban Meyer today and have another meeting scheduled with Robert Saleh on Staurday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be meeting with the most popular coaching candidate that has been tied to them Friday, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. That coach, of course, is former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer.

Afterward, the Jags will continue their search and see the whole process through as there is at least one known interview that remains — and that’s with former Jags assistant Robert Saleh on Saturday.

Meyer, 56, is a coach who fans of the Jacksonville area are quite familiar with due to the time he spent with the Florida Gators football program from 2005-10. During his tenure in Gainesville, he was able to win two national titles in 2006 and 2008 before stepping down for health and family reasons.

Meyer returned to the college realm two years later as the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes and was able to win another national title in 2014. He spent six seasons there but ended up retiring in 2018 after a tumultuous season in which he was suspended and dealt with health issues due to a brain cyst.

His time in Gainesville aside, the interest in Meyer, a proven winner in the college realm (187-32 record, 12-3 bowl record), makes a lot of sense for the Jags. The team hasn’t done a lot of winning under owner Shad Khan, who currently has a 39-105 regular season record over the span of nine years. The only playoff berth the team has had since he became owner was in 2017 where the team made it to the AFC Championship.

Additionally, Khan has stressed the importance of wanting to acquire a franchise quarterback, which has been an issue for the franchise for a long time. Meyer is someone the football realm has praise when it comes to coaching quarterbacks as he worked with players like Alex Smith, Tim Tebow, and JT Barrett to name a few.

“I think obviously developing a young quarterback, we’ve been very unsuccessful at that. [The] last eight years, we haven’t had a franchise quarterback, so I think that is very, very important,” Khan said Monday.

With the Jags having the first overall pick in April’s draft, signs point to them drafting Trevor Lawrence, who has been regarded as the best college prospect since Andrew Luck. The staff Khan puts in place to coach him will be a huge deal and the argument could be made that there aren’t better options than Meyer for the job.

According to our head coaching tracker, Meyer is one of six coaches the Jags have shown interest in. Once he interviews, he’ll be the fourth coach who is known to have interviewed with the Jags.

Shad Khan on hiring Urban Meyer: ‘We have not spoken to anyone about this job’

Jags owner Shad Khan spoke with the media Monday and denied the biggest rumor surrounding the team’s coaching vacancy.

As expected, the Jacksonville Jaguars parted ways with coach Doug Marrone this morning, making them one of six NFL teams with a head coach opening. With the Jags head coaching title now vacant, owner Shad Khan will now have to fill that role in addition to their general manager vacancy, which became open in November when Dave Caldwell was let go.

Someone who has been heavily associated with the Jags’ coaching job is retired Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, who NFL insider Ian Rapoport says has been putting together a staff with the expectation that he will be their guy. However, on Monday morning, Khan denied that he had spoken with Meyer about a job offer or interview.

“On the rumor of Urban Meyer, obviously, I’ve known Urban over the years through Big Ten, and what have you,” Khan said to the media. “But we have not spoken to anyone about this job or even, obviously, interviewed him. I mean, this is something—just made the decision this morning. So, you know there is—and I’ll leave it at that.”

After Sunday’s loss to the Indianapolis Colts, Marrone was asked about his job status and revealed that he spoke with Khan this past weekend about the Meyer rumors. Khan then referred to the rumor as “news to him” and Marrone also revealed that he was set to meet with Khan this morning. Well, the meeting occurred, and Marrone was let go in the process.

As for Meyer, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Jags were really high on him for reasons Khan stated Monday, like the desire for a franchise quarterback and winning culture. As most are aware, both are things that have been heavily associated with Meyer’s career, although he’s never coached on the NFL level.

Ultimately, time will tell whether or not Meyer is the Jags’ top candidate. Regardless, Khan will likely make the process a thorough one as the Jags’ vacancies have been viewed as the most attractive.

Shad Khan issues statement on Doug Marrone’s firing

Jags owner Shad Khan has officially relieved Doug Marrone of his duties and discussed his commitment to getting things right afterward.

The Jacksonville Jaguars can now be added to the list of teams who have a head coaching vacancy to fill this offseason. As expected, the team relieved Doug Marrone of his duties today, marking the first firing of Black Monday.

Not too soon after, owner Shad Khan released the following statement:

I am committed and determined to deliver winning football to the City of Jacksonville,” Khan said the statement. “Realizing that goal requires a fresh start throughout our football operations, and with that in mind, I spoke this morning with Doug Marrone to express my gratitude for his hard work over the past four seasons as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. I’ll always appreciate Doug’s passion, grit and class, and I’m confident he will enjoy success in the next chapter of his career.

As the search for our new general manager continues, now the quest begins to find a head coach who shares my ambition for the Jacksonville Jaguars and our fans, whose loyalty and faith are overdue to be rewarded.

Marrone, 56, joined the Jags as an assistant coach in 2016 when former coach Gus Bradley hired him on to the staff. He eventually climbed the pecking order and was named the Jags’ coach in 2017 after Bradley was fired. He was able to get immediate results by going to the AFC Championship during his first year, but it all fell apart afterward.

Marrone will finish his career with the Jags with a 23-43 record and a 2-1 postseason record. Overall, that puts him at a 38-60 figure when considering his time as the Buffalo Bills’ coach.

Now, it’s on Khan to find someone who can turn things around for the Jags who have the most attractive general manager and head coach openings in the NFL. With a boatload of cap space, patient ownership, 11 draft picks, and a clear path to Trevor Lawrence if he declares, the phones will be ringing off their bases for interest in the job.

Doug Marrone to meet with ownership about his future Monday

After a 1-15 season, Doug Marrone says he hasn’t been informed of his job status. However, he will meet with Jags ownership on Monday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars lost their season finale against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday by a score of 28-14, which will give them the worst record in franchise history (1-15). Of course, with that many have speculated that Doug Marrone will be relieved of his duties, but it appears fans will have to wait for a concrete answer.

After Sunday’s loss, Marrone told the media that he spoke with owner Shad Khan Saturday about the rumors that have been circulating concerning his job status and said that Khan called it “news to him.” Marrone also added that he plans to meet with Khan Monday, which will likely lead to fans getting the answers they’ve wanted.

Marrone also stated that NFL insider Ian Rapoport reached out to him before releasing his report which revealed that the Jags are eyeing retired Ohio State coach Urban Meyer as an option to replace him. He proceeded to thank Rapoport as the news gave him the heads up to inform his family.

Sunday’s loss concluded Marrone’s fourth season as a head coach with the Jags though he spent 2016 on the staff as an assistant. He finished the process with a 23-43 record and a 2-1 playoff record with the Jags. Of course, his only postseason appearance with the Jags was in 2017, when the team made it to the AFC Championship.

In November, the Jags parted ways with general manager Dave Caldwell, which felt like the writing on the wall for Marrone though ownership told him he’d finish out the season. With Marrone finishing 2020 with just a win to his name, it’s hard to see him retaining his job as he is the last key figure who remains from the Jags’ 2017 run.

As for Meyer, he makes a lot of sense for the Jags due to his ties to Florida while coaching the Gators and his abilities as a program builder. Per Rapoport, he’s been calling around to have a staff in place just in case he lands a job with the Jags in the coming weeks.

4 reasons the Jags’ general manager vacancy is very attractive

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a general manager vacancy available in 2021 after firing Dave Caldwell Sunday. They joined the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons as teams with openings to eventually be filled – and more teams will join …

The Jacksonville Jaguars have a general manager vacancy available in 2021 after firing Dave Caldwell Sunday. They joined the Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, and Atlanta Falcons as teams with openings to eventually be filled — and more teams will join the list soon.

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When Black Monday arrives, there could be six teams or more on the market for new front office leadership, which means the Jags will have a lot of competition. Luckily, the Jags’ vacancy could be atop the list of available destinations and the team could be in a situation where they land the top general manager candidate.

Here are four reasons why Jags fans should be excited about their search for a new front office leader as there is a lot to like about the team’s future:

Trent Baalke named Jags interim general manager

The Jags have parted ways with GM Dave Caldwell and Trent Baalke will serve as interim in his place for the rest of the season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ loss to the Cleveland Browns resulted in general manager Dave Caldwell being relieved of his duties Sunday. It was also announced that the Jags’ current Director of Player Personnel, Trent Baalke, would be filling Caldwell’s role as an interim general manager for their five remaining games of 2020.

Baalke joined the Jags’ staff earlier this year in February. Before that he was the San Francisco 49ers general manager from 2011-16 where the team garnered a 57-54-1 regular season record. They also were able to accumulate a 5-3 postseason record under Baalke, which included a loss in Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens.

Prior to that he also spent time as a scout and scouting coordinator with the Washington Football team and also spent time with the New York Jets as a scout.

As for Caldwell, he was hired in 2013 by owner Shad Khan who purchased the team months before bringing him in. He accumulated a 37-85 regular season record and a 2-1 postseason record during his eight seasons as Jags general manager.

The good, bad, and ugly from the Jaguars’ 27-3 loss against the Steelers

There weren’t a lot of positives to take from the Jags’ loss to the Steelers as it mark yet another sign of the Jags’ struggles under Khan.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had yet another stinker Sunday, putting up just three points to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 27. The Jags’ only score would come on their first drive, which looked promising, but the Steelers eventually woke up on both sides of the ball.

The game was one where the Jags didn’t necessarily give up but simply couldn’t get much going, which has led to more negative talking points than positive. That said, here are the good, bad, and ugly moments from Sunday’s very lopsided loss:

Jags’ Mark Lamping says decisions on London games are on hold and out of the team’s hands

Uncertainty seems to be looking for the Jags with the NFL International Series due to COVID-19.

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ Lot J project has garnered some momentum as of late as owner Shad Khan and Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry revealed their plans for the district next to TIAA Bank Field in early October. However, with that came a lot of questions from the Jags’ citizens and Jags president Mark Lamping finally got around to answering them Thursday in a virtual town hall discussion.

Another important topic that Lamping addressed was the Jags’ future involvement with the NFL International Series in London, which he didn’t seen too certain of.

“Jacksonville is the home of the Jaguars. It has been the team’s home for the past 26 seasons, and it will continue to be our home into the future,” Lamping said.

“The London game has been extremely important to the Jaguars and has also provided benefits to the Jacksonville community. However, the NFL controls the fate of all games played in London and the teams assigned to play in those games, and the Jaguars’ current agreement to play games has expired. Any future decisions on London are on hold and out of the Jaguars’ hands.”

With COVID-19 being an issue in the league, this is understandable as the NFL might be at a standstill with the International Series. They’ve had issues with the coronavirus at several team facilities after opting not to take the type of bubble approaches other sports organizations have. That said, traveling across seas simply doesn’t feel like a responsible move.

Lamping’s comments also raises the question of whether it’s possible that the NFL is considering another team (post-coronavirus, of course) to make London their second home, but its simply hard to say.

In 2019, the Jags revealed that they would be having two games (as opposed to one) in London this season. It was a move that wasn’t well received by the fan base despite Khan’s notion of how financially important having the International Series in the organization’s back pocket was. Now, due to the circumstances, fans will have to wait until more becomes available on a potential extension, but clearly the fans would like to get their home games back in the future.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan, city of Jacksonville reveal plans for Lot J

After months of anticipation due to the coronavirus prolonging things, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan and the city of Jacksonville reached an agreement for the development of Lot J. The project is one that has been years in the making, dating …

After months of anticipation due to the coronavirus prolonging things, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan and the city of Jacksonville reached an agreement for the development of Lot J. The project is one that has been years in the making, dating back to 2018.

Per local members of the media, the $450 million project will include the following:

  • Two residential buildings with 400 liveable spaces
  • A hotel building (with 150-250 rooms)
  • A retail space of approximately 75,000 square feet
  • An office space of about 40,000 square feet
  • A ground level parking lot with 750 spots
  • Two other parking lots with approximately 350 spaces
  • An 100,00 square foot area for entertainment, including bars, various restaurants, and other indoor/outdoor facilities.

According to Jacksonville mayor Lenny Curry, the project will provide 2,300 construction related jobs to build and 1,000 permanent jobs afterward. Economically, Curry said the project could garner $100 million annually for the city and $2 billion in salaries for those connected to the operations over the span of 40 years.

In terms of the cities contribution, over $152 million will be invested into the project. That includes $77.7 million for city-owned infrastructure, per New4JAX.

Additionally, the city will provide a $65.5 million loan to the developer, I-C Parcel One Holding Company LLC, an affiliate of Cordish Companies, who are ahead of the project. The loan will be secured by a $13.1 million deposit, which is presently in a Jacksonville-owned trust account.

With the plans now on the table, it’s now on the Jacksonville City Council to vote on. If approved the process of Lot J will began early next year.