The Jacksonville Jaguars could target a defensive-minded coach.
Early Monday morning, the Jacksonville Jaguars announced they had parted ways with head coach Doug Marrone. Now that they have started the process of landing his successor, the team could go in different directions. There are many enticing candidates in this hiring cycle but if they are interested in someone with a defensive background they should target San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh.
The Michigan native has gotten the spotlight thanks to his work with the ‘Niners’ these past two years. He’s becoming one of the hottest candidates this offseason and 49ers general manager John Lynch has already confirmed the Jaguars and two other teams have requested permission to interview the defensive coordinator.
As recently as last week, the ‘Jags’ weren’t sure whether they would keep Marrone beyond the 2020 season, but now that they have given him the pink slip they have wasted no time looking for their next head coach.
So far, this Jacksonville team has been linked to former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, who has shown interest in the job, Tennesee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith and Saleh. Looking at how the Jaguars’ defense perform in 2020, pursuing the 49ers defensive coordinator makes sense.
The Jacksonville Jaguars could use Robert Saleh’s expertise.
You might remember Robert Saleh was the Jaguars linebackers coach from 2014 to 2016. During that span, the defense as a whole wasn’t very good, but the team had a couple of studs in Telvin Smith and Paul Posluszny during that span.
Saleh was then hired as the 49ers defensive coordinator in 2017. In his first year on the job, San Francisco had a 6-10 record and its defense ranked 25th in points allowed. While this is nothing to brag about, it was a step in the right direction after ranking dead last in points given up the season before. The unit regressed in 2018 and surrendered the 28th most points in the NFL.
In 2019, the 49ers reached the Super Bowl on the strength of their defense, which was the second-best in yards allowed and eighth in point. Saleh started to get recognition and interviewed for a few head-coaching openings, but in the end, he stayed in ‘San Fran’.
Saleh did a good job leading the 49ers defense once again in 2020 even though the unit was marred by injuries and was without key players such as defensive end Nick Bosa and cornerback Richard Sherman for most of the year.
Robert Saleh could help fix the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense.
The Jaguars’ defense ranks near the cellar of most defensive categories. Early in the 2020 season, they allowed 30 points or more for six consecutive weeks. However, that wasn’t the end of their struggles. In the last four games of the year, they gave up 140 points.
If the ‘Jags’ want to become a perennial contender, they will have to fix their defense. They need an infusion of talent but there are a few solid players in place. Defensive end Josh Allen should be healthy next season and linebacker Myles Jack has played at a high level all year long.
Moreover, this Jacksonville team is going to need someone who can maximize the potential of its 2020 draft class. Defensive end K’Lavon Chaisson finished the season strong and cornerback C.J. Henderson displayed flashes of talent before he was placed on the Injury Reserve List. They could break out next season under the right head coach.
If the Jaguars use 2021’s first overall selection on a quarterback prospect, they will have to bring in someone who can develop him. On the other hand, they can’t neglect their defense, and if they want to hire a head coach with expertise in defense, Saleh could be their pick.