Due to his success in turning Colorado into a relevant program, Deion Sanders has become a hot head coach candidate in the NFL's next hiring cycle. One potential vacancy that's been brought up is the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it's easy to see why.
After going 4-8 in his first season with the Buffaloes, Sanders has led them to an 8-2 record this season Add the fact that he recruited two-way star Travis Hunter, and Prime Time has been seen as a rising star in coaching circles. Just recently, Elle Duncan of ESPN mentioned him as a potential fit with the Jags, pointing out that they haven't really had a culture of winning since the late 1990s.
Duncan also talks about the presence of Shad Khan, one of the most patient owners in the NFL as a reason Jacksonville should pursue Sanders. Having said that, the Jaguars will have an ample list of potential candidates to choose from and cannot afford to be wooed by coach Prime's recent success.
After all, the last time the Jags hired a college head coach without properly vetting him, they landed Urban Meyer. Things quickly went sideways and Khad had no choice but to fire him.
This isn't to say that Sanders will be a failure in the mold of Meyer, but rather that the Jaguars should not center their head coaching search — once they inevitably fire Doug Pederson — around Sanders.
This begs the question, what other prominent candidates should the Jaguars go after in the next hiring cycle? These four come to mind.
Ben Johnson, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
This may be the most obvious candidate and the one who will probably get the most consideration in the hiring cycle. With Ben Johnson at the helm, the Detroit Lions have put together one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. After ranking fifth in points scored in both 2022, and 2023, they entered Week 11 with the second-most points in the league.
Under Johnson's tutelage, players such as wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight end Sam LaPorta have reached their potential. Similarly, he's helped quarterback Jared Goff enjoy a career revival after struggling late in his stint with the Los Angeles Rams.
If that wasn't enough, the Jags saw firsthand just how potent Johnson's offense is, giving up 52 total points on defense. As the saying goes, if you cannot beat them, hire them.
Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator
While Ben Johnson gets the spotlight, Aaron Glenn is no slouch. The Lions' defensive coordinator oversees an opportunistic unit that will give up yards in chunks but will come through when needed.
Detroit head coach Dan Campbell deserves plenty of credit for empowering and delegating to his staff. Regarding Glenn, Campbell gives him credit for knowing how to adapt. Furthermore, he describes him as an "outstanding communicator, teacher, and motivator," via Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated.
The head coach also praises Glenn for holding himself to the highest standards and demanding accountability from his players, refusing to accept excuses. That sure sounds like the kind of leader Jacksonville could use.
Bill Belichick, former New England Patriots head coach
If the Jaguars are looking for a coach with a proven record who can get the most out of his defenses, Bill Belichick is their guy. After 24 seasons with the New England Patriots, the Hoodie was given the boot. Although the demand for his services was minimal in the last coaching cycle, he could have higher demand in 2025.
Belichick could instill discipline and a winning mentality, something the Jags have lacked, and to untap Trevor Lawrence's potential, he could bring in right-hand man Josh McDaniels, who's been dreadful as a head coach but is a heck of an offensive coordinator.
On the other hand, Belichick would need to be willing to compromise and not meddle with the personnel side of things. His dearth of success finding talent in the collegiate ranks was one of the reasons he couldn't rebuild the Pats after Tom Brady left.
If Belichicks agrees not to have control over personnel decisions and avoids bringing protegees Matt Patricia and Bill O'Brien, he could be an interesting fit with the Jaguars.
Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator
If the Jaguars aren't interested in a retreat like Bill Belichick or Robert Saleh but are still open to hiring a defensive mind, Jesse Minter would be an intriguing candidate. The Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator is an ascending star in coaching cycles and is responsible for one of the most impressive feats of the 2024 season.
In the first 10 weeks of the season, the Bolts gave up an average of 13.1 points per game, becoming only the fourth team since 1990 to keep their opponents under 20 points in the first nine games, per Peter Schrager of NFL Media.
Jesse Minter's @chargers D is just the fourth unit since 1990 to hold their first nine opponents to 20 points or less.
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) November 11, 2024
The 41-year-old may be one and done as the DC in LA. Will be a very hot name come January. pic.twitter.com/D6WUuuo92f
That's a feat worth recognizing in today's NFL, when there's an added emphasis on scoring, and Minter deserves lots of credit for it.