Jaguars To Retain DC Todd Wash
- The Jaguars will retain defensive coordinator Todd Wash under new head coach Doug Marrone, but nearly every other member of the defensive staff is being let go, reports Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com. Defensive assistant Mike Rutenberg is the only other defensive coach who will remain on board. Jacksonville had 24 coaches on staff at the end of the regular season, and that number figures to be reduced, tweets Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union.
Jaguars To Retain OC Nathaniel Hackett
Major changes are coming to the Jaguars, but some things will stay the same. Newly promoted head coach Doug Marrone is going to keep offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Tight ends coach Ron Middleton will also stay in his current position. 
After previously serving as the team’s quarterbacks coach, Nathaniel Hackett was promoted to OC in October 2016 following the dismissal of Greg Olson. It was expected that Hackett would remain in his role once Marrone was given the job since the two have a long history together. When Marrone was the head coach at Syracuse, Hackett was on the staff as quarterbacks coach and tight ends coach before ascending to OC. When Marrone became the Bills’ head coach, he brought along Hackett, then just 33 years old, to be his OC. In fact, he was so high on the enthusiastic young coach in 2013 that he did not interview other candidates for the job.
“I’m a firm believer in doing your homework thoroughly. As I mentioned in my opening press conference, I pride myself on my work ethic and in putting my staff together, I’m looking at every variable possible. With that said, Nathaniel’s abilities and creativity arose to the forefront at a very early stage,” Marrone said. “I believe he’s going to be highly successful in our organization and our players are going to enjoy executing our offensive schemes.”
Reactions to Jaguars’ Hirings
The Jaguars have officially announced the hiring of head coach Doug Marrone and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Tom Coughlin. The organization also announced the two-year extension for general manager Dave Caldwell. Owner Shad Khan released a statement regarding the moves (via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport on Twitter):
“I have confidence that one day soon we’ll look back on today’s news as the moment that inspired and ultimately established the Jacksonville Jaguars as a football team that wins, week to week and season to season.
“I am honored to welcome Tom Coughlin back to Jacksonville, where winning was customary under his leadership. I know he expects the same in his return to head our football operations, and that’s good news for us and Jaguars fans everywhere. The extension of Dave Caldwell’s contract speaks to his excellent work thus far and the continued importance of complementing our talented and promising roster.
“I am particularly enthused to introduce Doug Marrone as our new head coach. Doug is a strong football man in every respect and offers us qualities that will serve us well in all facets of the team, from the meeting rooms to game day and much more. The results will speak for themselves in time, but with Tom coming in to join Dave and Doug, there is no question the Jacksonville Jaguars are a stronger football team today.”
Let’s take a look at some reactions out of Jacksonville following the organization’s busy day…
- Caldwell will report to Coughlin, reports ESPN.com’s Mike DiRocco. The writer assumes that Coughlin “will have final say over personnel issues as well as the draft,” although the organization hasn’t confirmed whether this will be the case. A source told Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union (via Twitter) that Coughlin presumably “has the final say on everything.”
- Marrone believes Blake Bortles can be a franchise quarterback, and this mindset played a significant role in the hiring, reports Rapoport (via NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal). The organization clearly valued continuity, but Rosenthal notes that there will be “pressure on Marrone and Caldwell to turn Jacksonville’s fortunes around quickly.”
- Bortles certainly sounded optimistic about the hiring. “I think Doug has earned the respect of the offensive players and I’m excited for him to get this opportunity and the direction of this team,” Bortles told DiRocco.
- Rosenthal notes that offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will presumably keep his role. Hackett worked under Marrone with Syracuse and the Bills.
- Meanwhile, Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com tweets that the Jaguars’ defensive coaches were told they’d be retained if Marrone got the job. Alex Marvez of The Sporting News provides even more clarity (on Twitter), noting that the team will at least be keeping defensive coordinator Todd Wash and linebackers coach Robert Saleh.
- Mike Smith was thought to be a close second for the Jaguars job, Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports tweets. The former Falcons head coach served as the Buccaneers defensive coordinator this past season. In seven seasons in Atlanta, Smith led his squad to a 66-46 record and four playoff births. Roy Cummings of FloridaFootballInsiders.com writes that Smith is still in the running for the Chargers‘ head coaching gig.
Zach Links contributed to this report.
2017 Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Tracker
While at least six NFL teams are making head coaching changes this offseason, the number of clubs replacing offensive and/or defensive coordinators figures to be much higher than that. In addition to all those teams hiring new head coaches, who may want to bring in their own assistants, several clubs also figure to make changes on one side of the ball or the other after getting disappointing results in 2016. And, of course, the teams whose coordinators landed head coaching jobs will need to replace them.
With reports circulating on potential candidates, interview requests, and actual meetings, we’ll use the space below to keep tabs on all the latest updates on teams hiring new offensive and/or defensive coordinators. This post, which will be updated daily, can be found under the “PFR Features” menu on the right-hand side of the site.
Updated 2-13-17 (2:30pm CT)
Offensive Coordinators
Atlanta Falcons (Out: Kyle Shanahan)
- Steve Sarkisian, offensive assistant coach (Alabama): Hired
- Chip Kelly, former head coach (49ers): Falcons have expressed interest
- Matt LaFleur, quarterbacks coach (Falcons): Viewed as candidate
- Mike McDaniel, offensive assistant (Falcons): Viewed as candidate
Buffalo Bills (Out: Anthony Lynn)
- Rick Dennison, former offensive coordinator (Broncos): Hired
- Brad Childress, co-offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Viewed as a top candidate; out of running?
- Ken Dorsey, quarterbacks coach (Panthers): Interviewed
- Greg Olson, former offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Interviewed
- Mike McCoy, former head coach (Chargers): Viewed as likely choice
Denver Broncos (Out: Rick Dennison)
- Mike McCoy, former head coach (Chargers): Hired
- Bill Musgrave, former offensive coordinator (Raiders): Interviewed; named QBs coach
Houston Texans (HC Bill O’Brien will call plays, replacing George Godsey)
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Nathaniel Hackett, interim offensive coordinator (Jaguars): Hired
- Chip Kelly, former head coach (49ers): Interviewed
Los Angeles Rams (Out: Rob Boras)
- Matt LaFleur, quarterbacks coach (Falcons): Hired
- Bill Callahan, offensive line coach (Redskins): Mentioned as possible candidate
- Chris Foerster, offensive line coach (Dolphins): Interview requested, permission denied
New York Jets (Out: Chan Gailey)
- John Morton, wide receivers coach (Saints): Hired
- George Godsey, former offensive coordinator (Texans): Could interview
- Matt Nagy, co-offensive coordinator (Chiefs): Mentioned as possible candidate
- John DeFilippo, quarterbacks coach (Eagles): Interview requested, permission denied
- Mike McCoy, former head coach (Chargers): Mentioned as possible candidate
- Eric Studesville, Running backs coach (Broncos): Interviewed, withdrew from consideration
Oakland Raiders (Hired/Promoted: Todd Downing, replacing Bill Musgrave)
Washington Redskins (Hired/Promoted: Matt Cavanaugh, replacing Sean McVay)
Defensive Coordinators
Atlanta Falcons (Out: Richard Smith)
- Marquand Manuel, secondary coach (Falcons): Hired
- Jerome Henderson, pass game coordinator (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate
- Raheem Morris, wide receivers coach (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate
- Jeff Ulbrich, linebackers coach (Falcons): Mentioned as candidate
Buffalo Bills
- Leslie Frazier, defensive backs coach (Ravens): Hired
- Al Holcomb, linebackers coach (Panthers): Viewed as frontrunner
Carolina Panthers (Hired/Promoted Steve Wilks, replacing Sean McDermott)
Cleveland Browns (Hired: Gregg Williams, replacing Ray Horton)
- Wade Phillips, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Contacted about job
Denver Broncos (Out: Wade Phillips)
- Joe Woods, defensive backs coach (Broncos): Hired
- Reggie Herring, linebackers coach (Broncos): To be interviewed
Houston Texans (Hired/Promoted Mike Vrabel, replacing Romeo Crennel, who was named assistant head coach)
Los Angeles Chargers (Out: John Pagano)
- Gus Bradley, former head coach (Jaguars): Hired
- Ron Milus, defensive backs coach (Chargers): Would have been hired if Bradley went elsewhere
Los Angeles Rams (Out: Gregg Williams)
- Wade Phillips, defensive coordinator (Broncos): Hired
Miami Dolphins (Hired/Promoted: Matt Burke, replacing Vance Joseph)
San Francisco 49ers (Hired: Robert Saleh, Out: Jim O’Neil)
- Robert Saleh, former linebackers coach (Jaguars): Hired
- Brian Flores, linebackers coach (Patriots): Mentioned as candidate
- Jerome Henderson, pass game coordinator (Falcons): Interviewed
- Vic Fangio, defensive coordinator (Bears): Expressed interest, move blocked by Bears
- Gus Bradley, former head coach (Jaguars): Mentioned as candidate
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Signed Mike Smith to extension; Smith withdrew name from Chargers’ HC search)
Washington Redskins (Out: Joe Barry)
- Greg Manusky, outside linebackers coach (Redskins): Hired
- John Pagano, defensive coordinator (Chargers): To be interviewed
- Mike Pettine, former head coach (Browns): Interviewed
- Rob Ryan, former assistant head coach/defense (Bills): Interviewed
- Jason Tarver, linebackers coach (49ers): To be interviewed
- Dennis Thurman, former defensive coordinator (Bills): To be interviewed
- Gus Bradley, former head coach (Jaguars): Hired by Chargers
- Romeo Crennel, assistant head coach (Texans): Denied permission to interview
- Paul Guenther, defensive coordinator (Bengals): Denied permission to interveiew
- Steve Wilks, AHC/DB coach (Panthers): Interview requested, promoted by Panthers
Jaguars Hire Tom Coughlin As Executive VP
The Jaguars are hiring their former head coach Tom Coughlin as their Executive Vice President of Football Operations, a source tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Meanwhile, general manager Dave Caldwell will stay in place thanks to a two-year extension (Twitter link via Mark Long of The Associated Press). It’s a two-year deal for Coughlin, as well, tying all major players to the organization through 2019. 
[RELATED: Jaguars To Hire Doug Marrone As Head Coach]
Coughlin, 71 in August, was a candidate for the team’s head coaching gig in this cycle, but that job went to Doug Marrone earlier today. Most people in their 70s move to Florida for sunshine and golf, but Coughlin doesn’t have much interest in either. When he parted ways with the Giants last year, Coughlin stayed involved in football with a job in the league office. This year, Coughlin was hinting strongly that he wanted to coach again. His age and aggressive style probably hindered him from returning to the sidelines, but he has found a prominent role in an organization he knows well.
While Coughlin doesn’t technically have any experience as an NFL executive, he essentially acted as the Jaguars’ general manager during his head coaching run with the team from 1995-2002.
Jaguars To Hire Doug Marrone As Head Coach
The first head coaching vacancy of this offseason has been filled. The Jaguars are taking the interim tag off of Doug Marrone, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Marrone’s contract will take him through 2019, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. 
[RELATED: Jaguars Hire Tom Coughlin As Executive VP]
In 2015, Marrone joined Gus Bradley‘s staff as an offensive line coach and assistant head coach. This year, when Bradley was sacked, Marrone was given the interim head coaching title. In those final two weeks of the season, Jacksonville saw enough out of Marrone to give him the real gig.
Marrone found some success as the Bills’ head coach in 2014 when he guided them to a 9-7 record. Instead of building on that progress, he opted out of his contract (and still cashed in on his $4MM guaranteed salary for 2015). Expecting to be a hot candidate for multiple openings, Marrone was undoubtedly disappointed when he was passed on by the Falcons, Bears, Jets, and 49ers. He bided his time in Jacksonville and, after two years, he’s back in the head coaching ranks.
As shown in our 2017 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker, Tom Coughlin, Harold Goodwin, Mike Smith, Josh McDaniels, and Kyle Shanahan, were also interviewed for the job. Anthony Lynn was also expected to interview.
The hiring of Marrone leaves five teams in search of a head coach: the Bills, Broncos, Rams, Chargers, and 49ers.
Doug Marrone Serious Candidate In Jacksonville
- Doug Marrone remains positioned to be given a “very strong look” by the Jaguars in their coaching search, La Canfora reports. The Jags have interviewed five outside coaches thus far but obviously know more about Marrone given his work with the team as the offensive line coach and interim HC the past two seasons.
With the Broncos essentially down to to Joseph, Kyle Shanahan and Dave Toub among their finalists, La Canfora estimates this search might not last long after Joseph’s upcoming interview with Denver. Mike Klis of 9News notes that meeting is expected to occur in Denver early this week. The 44-year-old DC has been connected to five of the six teams in need of coaches, with the Jaguars being the only one to balk at the rising sideline talent thus far. According to PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker, Joseph is slated to interview with both the Broncos and 49ers but hasn’t yet decided on summits with the Bills, Chargers and Rams. He’s now free to do so after the Dolphins’ elimination.
Doug Marrone Still Very Much In Contention For Jags' HC Job
- In addition to Anthony Lynn, the Rams are also interviewing Doug Marrone for their vacant head coaching position today, according to Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com (via Twitter). Schrager tweets, however, that Marrone is still “very much in contention” for the Jaguars‘ head coaching job.
Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan Intrigued By Jaguars Gig
Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is set to interview with the Broncos today, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that the Denver gig is the job that Shanahan “identifies with.” The reporter notes that the coordinator is also intrigued by the Jaguars head coaching position.
- After firing Ray Horton yesterday, the Browns have started searching for a new defensive coordinator. Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com tweets that the organization reached out to former Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley regarding the opening. ESPN’s Pat McManamon writes that the team also approached Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.
Josh McDaniels Prefers 49ers’ HC Job
Contingents from the 49ers, Jaguars and Rams will travel to Massachusetts on Saturday to interview Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels regarding their head coaching vacancies. Of the teams courting McDaniels, the 49ers interest him the most, a source told Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.
The Niners are enticing to McDaniels for several reasons, including CEO Jed York’s willingness to patiently rebuild, according to Branch. The club is also looking for a general manager, and it could land one who’s already on good terms with McDaniels if it tabs ESPN analyst Louis Riddick or Patriots director of player personnel Nick Caserio. The 49ers will meet with Riddick next week, though it’s unclear whether they’ll speak with Caserio.
McDaniels, who will spend the next month vying for his fifth Super Bowl ring as an assistant, already has prior head coaching experience. That stint, which lasted from 2009-10 with the Broncos, included a mere 11 wins in 28 games. However, the 40-year-old offensive guru has rebuilt his stock since returning to the Patriots in 2012.
If McDaniels does depart New England again for a head coaching job, the 49ers would ostensibly be a logical choice. While the franchise has plummeted to the league’s cellar since parting with Jim Harbaugh after the 2014 season, it’s in position to rebound with 11 picks – including No. 2 overall – in this year’s draft and the most cap space in the NFC. San Francisco probably doesn’t have an answer at quarterback on its roster, especially if Colin Kaepernick opts out of his contract, but the new GM and McDaniels could perhaps find one in the draft or even swing a trade for Pats backup Jimmy Garoppolo.