JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars employed Doug Pederson as their head coach Thursday night time, ending a wild and winding search that ended up the place it began greater than a month in the past.
Pederson, who led Philadelphia to its lone Tremendous Bowl title, was Jacksonville’s first candidate interviewed when he met with proprietor Shad Khan and normal supervisor Trent Baalke on Dec. 30. He waited greater than month for a callback. He acquired a second interview Tuesday and landed the job two days later.
“Doug Pederson 4 years in the past received a Tremendous Bowl as head coach of a franchise in pursuit of its first world championship,” Khan mentioned in a press release. “I hope Doug can replicate that magic right here in Jacksonville, however what is definite is his confirmed management and expertise as a successful head coach within the Nationwide Soccer League.
“It’s precisely what our gamers deserve. Nothing much less.”
The 54-year-old Pederson takes over for City Meyer, who was fired after 13 video games and numerous missteps in what is going to go down as one of many worst teaching tenures in NFL historical past. He joins Baalke in a pairing that’s positive to irk a vocal section of the fan base.
Baalke remaining in his GM position brought about some candidates to hesitate concerning the job and a number of other former gamers to brazenly query Khan’s search. Operating again Fred Taylor, receiver Jimmy Smith, security Donovin Darius, guard Uche Nwaneri and kicker Josh Scobee expressed concern with the path of the franchise.
Pederson finally acquired the nod over former NFL coaches Jim Caldwell and Invoice O’Brien, present/former coordinators Byron Leftwich, Nathaniel Hackett, Matt Eberflus, Todd Bowles, Kellen Moore, and Jaguars offensive coordinator/interim head coach Darrell Bevell. Dallas defensive coordinator Dan Quinn declined an interview request, presumably as a result of he most well-liked to not work with Baalke.
Discussions with Leftwich broke down for related causes, based on an individual acquainted with the method. The particular person spoke to The Related Press on situation of anonymity as a result of either side wished to maintain particulars non-public.
Former Las Vegas interim coach Wealthy Bisaccia and fired Denver coach Vic Fangio additionally interviewed and will find yourself being employed as coordinators.
Pederson led the Eagles to their first Tremendous Bowl following the 2017 season and made the playoffs 3 times in 5 seasons. The Eagles went 4-11-1 in his closing yr.
Pederson was 51-34-1 in Philly, together with 4-2 within the postseason. Earlier than that, he served three seasons (2013-15) as Kansas Metropolis’s offensive coordinator and made the playoffs twice.
In Jacksonville, he’ll be tasked with ending the group’s woeful methods and getting essentially the most out of quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
The Jags have dropped 35 of their final 41 video games and have a league-high 10 shedding seasons within the final 11 years. Lawrence, the No. 1 general draft choose, completed his rookie marketing campaign with 12 landing passes, a league-leading 17 interceptions, 5 fumbles and a passer score (71.9) that was second-worst within the NFL forward of solely Zach Wilson of the New York Jets.
Jacksonville ranked final within the league in scoring (14.9 factors a recreation) and twenty seventh in yards (305.4 a recreation). The protection was barely higher, rating twenty eighth in factors allowed (26.9) and twentieth in yards (353.1).
Pederson appeared like one of many most secure picks from the beginning of Jacksonville’s search, particularly after Meyer’s yearlong mess, however Khan and Baalke gave the impression to be leaning towards youthful offensive candidates to pair with Lawrence.
Leftwich and Hackett have been thought-about the favorites. Leftwich landed a second interview final week, a face-to-face sit-down in Tampa. The perimeters continued speaking the next day, however apparently hit a snag, presumably over Baalke’s position.
The Jaguars then scheduled a second interview with Hackett, however he took the Denver job earlier than that might occur.
Jacksonville then rebooted its search and doubled again to Pederson. He was out of teaching this season after Philadelphia fired him on Jan. 11, 2021. The Eagles ranked twenty sixth in scoring (20.9 factors a recreation) and twenty eighth in passing (207.9 yards a recreation) in his closing season.
Pederson inherits a roster that lacks expertise, however he does have the No. 1 choose in April’s draft and will have round $70 million in wage cap area.
Discovering concord with Baalke can be key. Baalke’s final 5 NFL seasons ended with a training change.
His resume contains failed tenures with City Meyer (2021), Doug Marrone (2020), Chip Kelly (2016), Jim Tomsula (2015) and Jim Harbaugh (2014).
The 57-year-old Baalke remained in place after Khan fired Meyer in mid-December, a transfer that irked followers sufficient for them to arrange a “clown out” protest for the season finale in opposition to Indianapolis. A number of hundred followers confirmed up wearing colourful wigs, outsized bowties and purple noses.
Khan remained dedicated to Baalke after the “clown out” and once more after a number of candidates expressed reservations about working with him.
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