Tag: Jaguars coaching search

Jags can ramp up HC interview process after postseason eliminations of Bucs, Packers

The Jags have only interviewed one head coaching candidate twice. However, after what transpired this weekend, none of their candidates remain in the postseason and things can speed up.

The Jacksonville Jaguars got the best possible playoffs outcomes to wrap up their interview process for a new head coach. Both the Tampa Bay Bucs and Green Bay Packers lost their respective games this weekend, freeing assistants from both teams up for more head coaching interviews.

In the Bucs’ case, the Jags can now have second interviews with offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, both of whom they already met once virtually. In the Packers’ case, they can now speak with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett again, who was eligible for an in-person interview with the Jags when they spoke as the Packers were in the process of a postseason bye week as the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

The Jags’ interview with Bowles was among the first they had, and it took place on Jan. 3. Leftwich’s interview was four days later. The Jags’ first interview with Hackett was believed to be on Jan. 14.

The Jags only interviewed one known candidate twice in Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. His last interview took place three days ago on Thursday after his first interview was on Jan. 15. He’s been a pretty busy candidate as of late as the Chicago Bears also have plans to meet with him for a second time where former Colts general manager Bill Polian is reportedly pushing to possibly have Eberflus and Colts executive Morocco Brown together.

However, with the Jags looking to build around quarterback Trevor Lawrence, an offensive-minded coach might be the way to go. That said, some feel that Leftwich, a former Jags first-round pick, makes the most sense, and he’s an option the fans have gravitated to the most.

While with the Bucs, Leftwich has been masterful while working with future Hall-of-Famer Tom Brady, but even before that, he was able to guide Jameis Winston to a 7-9 record and a career-high in passing yards (5,109). He also displayed the ability to adapt this postseason with several key players out for the Bucs like tackle Tristan Wirfs and receiver Chris Godwin.

As for Hackett, he could be a top option for the same reasons as Leftwich as he also has aided a Hall-of-Fame quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, in having a successful run. While the Packers were a one-and-done team this season and Hackett doesn’t call plays, he was a reason for the success the Jags’ offense had during their 2017 campaign as he was the team’s offensive coordinator under Doug Marrone.

Bill O’Brien to interview with Jags on Thursday

The Jags interviewed Darrell Bevell on Tuesday and will now interview Bill O’Brien on Thursday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars coaching search is entering its third week as the team does its due diligence to find someone to guide Trevor Lawrence’s career. They already spoke to Jags interim coach Darrell Bevell and have others set to be interviewed before the week is over.

Among the people they will interview is Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien, who the Jags are familiar with from his time with the Houston Texans. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, that interview will take place on Thursday.

O’Brien is a candidate with a good deal of experience on both the college and pro side of the game. However, his professional career started with the New England Patriots under Bill Belichick in 2007 where he was an offensive assistant. He then worked his way up to roles as a receivers coach and quarterbacks coach, eventually becoming their offensive coordinator.

After his tenure in New England, O’Brien was a head coach for Penn State for two seasons. He replaced Joe Paterno just as Penn State was rocked by sanctions because of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. He guided the team to a 15-9 record in the process before landing  a job with the Houston Texans as their head coach.

O’Brien spent seven seasons with the Texans and went 52-48 in the process. However, as Rapoport mentioned, he struggled when taking on the team’s general manager duties while trying to coach at the same time. In the process, he made what some Texans fans viewed as the most questionable trade in franchise history by sending receiver DeAndre Hopkins to Arizona for a fourth-round pick.

In addition to trading Hopkins, O’Brien had a heated exchange with another one of the Texans’ best players in J.J. Watt that resulted in him “losing the team” during his last season, according to ESPN. These incidents and other factors seemed to play into the Texans’ decision to fire him before the 2020 season ended, but he’s since bounced back by having success at Alabama and leading Bryce Young and Co. to the National Championship.

While the Khans appear willing to hear O’Brien out with the chance to interview for another shot in the NFL, the potential hiring of O’Brien is one that comes with a lot of skepticism. Despite his success on the college level, there are concerns about the fact that both he and Trent Baalke have been a part of dysfunctional situations in their careers.

Report: Jags likely to move on from Doug Marrone, Urban Meyer among potential candidates

When the Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 season concludes Sunday, owner Shad Khan will have a busy offseason on his hands as he’ll have to fill the team’s general manager spot and decide on the status of Doug Marrone. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, it …

When the Jacksonville Jaguars 2020 season concludes Sunday, owner Shad Khan will have a busy offseason on his hands as he’ll have to fill the team’s general manager spot and decide on the status of Doug Marrone. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, it appears the plan heading forward will be to move on, though a concrete decision hasn’t been made.

One candidate who has been heavily discussed is former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, who is currently retired. However, it appears the Jags will be giving him a lot to think about in the coming weeks as it’s believed he’ll be their top candidate, according to Rapoport.

Meyer is a name many fans of the Jacksonville area will remember from his days as the head coach of the Florida Gators’ football program (2005-10). While with them, he won national titles in 2006 and 2008 and eventually retired at the end of the 2010 season. Two years later, he returned to the collegiate ranks as the head coach with Ohio State and was able to win another title in 2014 before retiring again in December of 2018.

Since his most recent retirement, Meyer has worked as a college football analyst with Fox Sports.

Many have mentioned Meyer as a fit for the Jags because of his ability to build up programs and his winning track record. He’s currently 219-187 in the regular season and 12-3 in bowl games. However, the issue many fans will have with his potential acquisition is that he’s never coached in the NFL.

Another issue with Meyer is the reported health issues he’s had during coaching. Back in 2018, he dealt with an enlarged congenital arachnoid cyst on his brain. Stress-related issues also were a problem for him while with the Gators, so Khan will have to thoroughly evaluate if Meyer would be a wise choice to replace Marrone.