Jaguars are bringing in several head coaching candidates for a second interview after losing out on Ben Johnson
The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing their due diligence in finding their next head coach. They are now moving on to second-round interviews as coaching hires heat up around the league. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Jacksonville was very interested in Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but the feeling wasn't mutual on Johnson's […]
The Jacksonville Jaguars are doing their due diligence in finding their next head coach.
They are now moving on to second-round interviews as coaching hires heat up around the league. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Jacksonville was very interested in Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, but the feeling wasn't mutual on Johnson's part after interviewing with the team.
Johnson accepted the Chicago Bears' head coaching position on Monday, forcing the Jaguars to move on. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport has now reported that Jacksonville will bring in Robert Saleh, Liam Coen, and Patrick Graham for second interviews later this week.
Coen has bounced between the NFL and college ranks over the last few years. He was the offensive coordinator and quarterback coach at Kentucky in 2021, but left after one year to become the Los Angeles Rams' offensive coordinator. Coen then returned to Kentucky to be its offensive coordinator again after just one year with Los Angeles.
It was another one-year tenure for Coen in Kentucky, returning back to the NFL in 2024 to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator. He helped Tampa Bay finish third in overall offense, ranking in the top five of the league in passing, rushing, and points per game.
Graham is a longtime defensive assistant coach. He has been the defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders since 2022. The Raiders quietly had a solid defense in 2024, especially considering how poor their offense was. In 2023 they ranked in the top 12 of the NFL against the pass and in points allowed.
In Week 6 of his fourth season as the New York Jets head coach, he was fired after a 2-3 start. Many feel that his firing was unjust, especially considering that New York won just three more games after he was let go. Saleh is also an experienced defensive assistant, serving as the San Francisco 49ers' defensive coordinator for four years before joining the Jets.
The cupboard isn't bare talent-wise in Jacksonville. If owner Shahid Khan and general manager Tret Baalke can make the right hire, things could get turned around quickly. Before 2024 the Jaguars posted back-to-back nine-win seasons, including a playoff victory in 2022. Getting the most out of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and establishing him as a top tier quarterback has to be the top priority for whoever they bring in.
New 2025 NFL mock draft has an absolute gift fall directly into the Jacksonville Jaguars’ lap
At one point during the 2024 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars seemed to be the favorites for the number one overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Then they won two of their final five matchups and now own the fifth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. In a recent A to Z Sports mock draft, […]
