The Jacksonville Jaguars parted ways with Doug Pederson following the loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2024 season finale. They originally hired him in 2022 and enjoyed immediate success. However, they progressively got diminished results, and his approach no longer matched the team's vision, so owner Shad Khan decided to dismiss his head coach but kept general manager Trent Baalke around.
Khan told the media on Black Monday that he felt that moving on from Pederson was the right move, pointing out that the Jags weren't getting better with him at the helm.
"Last year, we started off 8-3 and then went 1-5, okay, and didn't make the playoff. Was the winning season, but didn't make the playoffs," Khan responded when he was asked why he dismissed Pederson. "And after that, I started really right in Nashville, sat down with Doug, okay, 'what are we going to do?' And he identified, on the defensive side, we needed to change the staff and so on. And as the season progressed, we weren't doing well."
Khan continued, "We were close like yesterday, but not close enough to win the game, and then, as I spoke to Doug, even last week, for a good length of time, I just came to the conclusion what we were doing was not working, and a change in direction was needed."
All things considered, Khan isn't wrong. The team showed a lack of discipline and routinely looked unprepared in 2024. Later in his exchange with the press corps, the Jaguars owner said that he doesn't think that keeping Baalke around will be a turnoff for potential candidates.
"No, not at all. I think we have a very compelling case of what we can offer the head coach. You know that. I think the players, where we stand on our draft, our salary cap, the city, the bricks and mortars, the facilities our division. I mean, it's a very, very compelling case, but I want the head coach, which we did last time. I mean, they need to be comfortable with what we're doing. Our job is to be able to provide them with all the resources they want. And so we'll go through that process."
Expected to also get the pink slip, Baalke managed to keep his job. This was a bit surprising because he had a rift with the coaching staff last year and is known for being difficult to work with across the NFL.
Heck, one prominent candidate for the Jaguars' head-coaching vacancy went as far as saying that he would be less interested in the job due to the prospect of having to work with Baalke.
Speaking of Baalke, he said that the team would move quickly to put in requests for interviews. True to his work, the Jaguars announced the list of candidates they would interview for their head coach vacancy.
With that in mind, here's a tracker of all the moves and updates regarding the Jaguars' head-coaching search. It will be routinely updated as more information becomes available.
Jaguars head coaching tracker: Full list of candidates to replace Doug Pederson
The Jaguars announced on January 7 that they had placed requests to interview the following candidates:
• Ben Johnson, Detriot Lions offensive coordinator
• Kellen Moore, Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator
• Liam Coen, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator
• Aaron Glenn, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator
• Robert Saleh, former New York Jets head coach
• Todd Monken, Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator
• Joe Brady, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator
• Patrick Graham, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator.
We have requested to interview the following candidates for our Head Coach vacancy. pic.twitter.com/pYHk3LnUjI
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 7, 2025
January 8 Update no. 1: Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated reports that Robert Saleh will interview for the Jaguars job Tuesday.
Ex-Jets coach Robert Saleh will interview for the @Jaguars job on Tuesday, per sources. Saleh was Jags LBs coach from 2014-16, and the Jets team/defensive collapse after his firing may reflect the value he brought.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 8, 2025
Saleh's also, obviously, a name to watch for the 49ers DC job.
January 8 update No. 2: The Jaguars have oficially scheduled two more interviews for their opening.
Per Albert Breer, the Jaguars have arranged a meeting with Aaron Glenn Friday.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will interview with the @NYJets tomorrow, the @Saints on Friday (as we said previously), and then the @Jaguars and @ChicagoBears on Saturday. Glenn's become one of the hottest names on the market—and rightfully so.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 8, 2025
More ⤵️⤵️⤵️
Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports broke the news that the Jaguars are scheduled to interview Ben Johnson Friday.
Sources: #Lions OC Ben Johnson — the top candidate in this year’s cycle — is scheduled to interview with four teams and has set up virtual meetings as follows:
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 8, 2025
- Raiders & Patriots on Friday
- Bears & Jaguars on Saturday pic.twitter.com/qO1VZKCZSl
January 8 Update No. 3: The team announced it's put in a request to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
We have requested an interview with Brian Flores for our Head Coach vacancy.
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 9, 2025
January 9 Update No. 1: The Jaguars have requested an interview with Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo for their opening, per Tom Pelissero.
The #Jaguars have requested an interview with #Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo for their head coaching job.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 9, 2025
That's three for Spags, who also is set to speak with the #Jets and #Raiders.
January 9 Update No. 2: The Jaguars requested to interview Steve Spagnuolo early Tuesday and were given permission later the same day to meet with him Friday, January 10.
Big day tomorrow for Chiefs DC Steve Spagnuolo. He will interview with the Jaguars, Raiders and Jets all in one day for their head coach positions, source tells @NFLonCBS. Those interviews will be virtual for the four-time Super Bowl-winning coordinator.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) January 9, 2025
The Jaguars have been granted their request to interview Aaron Glenn and will meet with him Saturday, per Albert Breer.
Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn will interview for the Raiders HC job tomorrow, per source. So Jets today, Saints and Raiders tomorrow, and Jaguars and Bears on Saturday.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 9, 2025
He declined to interview with the Patriots.
Jaguars 10 update No. 1: NFL insider Josina Anderson reports that the Jags interview with Robert Saleh is scheduled for Tuesday.
Just-in: I’m told Robert Saleh’s first head coach interview with the #Jaguars is Tuesday. Another head coach interview is expected thereafter. The #49ers are also expected to make him an offer at defensive coordinator, per sources. https://t.co/RZ1zgicFsp
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 8, 2025
January 13 update No. 1: Robert Saleh will meet with the Jaguars for their head-coaching opening Tuesday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media. The former New York Jets head coach will also interview with the Las Vegas Raiders Thursday.
Former #Jets coach Robert Saleh will interview for the #Jaguars head coaching job on Tuesday and the #Raiders job on Thursday, per sources.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 13, 2025
Saleh is a top defensive coordinator candidate. But his work rebuilding the D and team in New York is getting him multiple HC looks first. pic.twitter.com/9MMY1PoLTo
January 14 update No. 1: Albert Breer or Sports Illustrated reports the Jags will meet with Kellen Moore on Friday the 17th.
"Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore will meet with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Friday and the New Orleans Saints on Saturday before his Sunday game," Breer said.
January 14 update No. 2: Brian Flores will interview for the Jaguars job Friday, according to Albert Breer.
Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores will interview for the Jaguars head coaching job on Friday, per source. He also has interview requests from the Jets and Bears, with scheduling still to be worked on that.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 14, 2025
January 15 update No. 1: Liam Coen is meeting with the Jaguars today, according to Peter Schrager of Fox Sports.
Tampa Bay OC Liam Coen is interviewing with the Jaguars for their HC vacancy today, per sources. @nflnetwork @NFLonFOX
— Peter Schrager (@PSchrags) January 15, 2025
January 16 Update No. 1: Todd Monken is meeting wit the Jaguars today for their vancancy, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is interviewing today for the Jaguars head coaching job, and Friday for the Bears vacancy, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 16, 2025
January 16 update No. 2: The Jaguars will interview Brian Flores for their opening Friday the 17th, per Ian Rapoport.
A big few days loom for #Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, one of the top candidates. He has 3 head coach interviews set up:
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 16, 2025
-- #Jets on Friday.
-- #Jaguars on Friday.
-- #Bears on Saturday.
January 20 update No. 1: Ben Johnson is going to the Bears. The Jaguars have turned their attention to Robert Saleh, Patrick Graham, and Liam Coen. Adam Schefter reported the news. Several outlets followed, and the team later announced the interviews with all three.
Jacksonville’s HC search: Jaguars are bringing in former Raiders DC Patrick Graham, former Jets HC Robert Saleh and Buccaneers OC Liam Coen this week for in-person second interviews.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2025
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