Liam Coen wants Jaguars defensive players to have a unique trait

The Jacksonville Jaguars would've surely wanted their search for a new head coach to go a bit smoother. But in the end, it probably doesn't matter because they landed their guy: Liam Coen. Following his introductory press conference, he's begun to fill his staff.

Coen is keeping special teams coach Heath Farwell and is now turning their attention to the defensive coordinator spot. After his introduction, the new Jaguars head coach said, via Eugene Frenette of The Florida-Times Union, that he's looking for help with identity, noting that he'll give his defensive coordinator autonomy. On the other hand, he wants his players to be "savages."

This is a different approach from the one incumbent Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen adopted last year. When he got hired, he talked about putting an emphasis on fundamentals, technique, and pursuit. It didn't work as Jacksonville went on to rank 27th in points allowed and 31st in yards allowed. Not surprisingly, Coen is expected to relieve him from duty.

John Shipley of Sports Illustrated reports that Nielsen, along with offensive coordinator Press Taylor and offensive line coach Phil Rauscher, will get the pink slip. In fact, Coen didn't make mention of any of them during his press conference and the Jaguars already started to interview candidates for their defensive coordinator position.

First, the organization interviewed Daronte Jones. He's coming off his fourth season as the defensive backs coach and second as the passing game coordinator for the Minnesota Vikings. Jones has coached players like Byron Murphy, Cam Bynum, and even Shaq Griffin, who's enjoyed a career revival with the Vikes.

Aside from Jones, the Jaguars also met with Patrick Graham for their defensive coordinator job. He had interviewed for their head coach vacancy twice. He didn't get it, but it looks like the Jags liked him enough that they want to keep him around in some capacity.

Graham has been a defensive coordinator for the Raiders and the New York Giants. He's previously garnered consideration for head-coaching vacancies but hasn't been able to get one.

The Jaguars need a DC who can get the most out of an underachieving defense

The Jacksonville Jaguars certainly had a handful of holes on defense, but the cupboard wasn't entirely devoid of talent. Unfortunately, Ryan Nielsen wasn't able to get the most out of his unit. His arrogant demeanor was a turnoff for players, and that was evident in their on-field performance.

It will be up to Liam Coen to find the right defensive coordinator, one who can get the underachieving unit going. Working in his favor is that he knows that he's got a difference-maker in defensive end Josh Hines-Allen, and he'll be looking for someone who prioritizes "players over plays."

That's the kind of philosophy the likes of cornerback Tyson Campbell and defensive end Travon Walker will buy into.

In the end, it looks like the Jacksonville Jaguars got it right when they hired Liam Coen as their head coach. However, there's plenty of work left, and finding the right defensive coordinator is surely at the top of their priority list.

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