Following the 2018 season, Cowboys fans couldn’t wait to see offensive coordinator Scott Linehan sent packing. But one team’s trash is another team’s treasure, and Linehan’s name has surfaced this week as a prime candidate for the same role in Jacksonville under newly-tabbed head coach Urban Meyer.
Meyer was hired as the Jaguars’ sixth head coach this week, following three national championships in the college ranks at Florida and Ohio State. Meyer had been a studio analyst for the past two seasons at Fox Sports. Now as he assembles his Jaguars coaching staff, he is reportedly- according to ESPN- eyeing the former Cowboys offensive coordinator, a longtime friend.
Scott Linehan has emerged as a prime candidate for Jaguars offensive coordinator under Urban Meyer, per @toddarcher and me. Former NFL head coach and OC was at LSU last year, has long had relationship with Meyer.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 15, 2021
Linehan joined the Cowboys staff in 2014 as passing game coordinator. He came into the job with considerable coaching experience under his belt at the college and pro levels. In the NFL, he had spent time on staff at Minnesota, Miami, and Detroit, and had been the head coach for the St. Louis Rams for three seasons.
In Dallas, Linehan ended up serving as the de facto offensive coordinator after playcalling duties were transitioned away from Bill Callahan. Linehan took over the OC job officially in 2015.
In his four seasons with the Cowboys, the offense finished 22nd, 5th, 14th and 22nd in total offense and 31st, 5th, 14th and 22nd in points per game. Kellen Moore was promoted from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator after Linehan’s departure.
Linehan spent the 2019 season out of football. He worked as LSU’s passing game coordinator in 2020. After the Tigers’ remarkable championship season in 2019 with Joe Burrow under center, Linehan’s passing offense finished this past college season ranked 35th in the country in terms of average passing yards per game.
If hired for the Jacksonville job, the 57-year-old Linehan may be charged with building an offense around Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, widely thought to be the Jaguars’ desired pick when they select first in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.
The Cowboys will make their pick with the No. 10 slot.
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