Urban Meyer has been relieved of his duties as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. It safe to say that the decision had been coming for some time. The team sit at 2-11 and are once again in contention for the No. 1 overall pick. That is before mentioning the numerous off-field issues they have suffered.
The team will now move on to finding Meyer’s replacement, and there is a lot to like about the job. The Jaguars have Trevor Lawrence under center and over $70 million in cap room for free agency. Here are some of the potential candidates to take over in Duval.
Kellen Moore
Current position: Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys
Why it works: Moore is widely considered to be one of the brightest young minds in football and has earned a reputation as a talented play caller. He has had success in his three seasons as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, despite being without Dak Prescott for much of the 2020 campaign. This could be a key selling point for a Jacksonville offense that has massively underperformed in Trevor Lawrence’s debut campaign.
Why it doesn’t: Given the way the Urban Meyer situation went, the Jaguars may be reticent to consider another candidate who lacks NFL head coaching experience. This is a team who has just one winning season in the last 11 years. A turnaround will not be quick or easy, and they want a more experienced coach at the helm. Dallas’ recent offensive performances might also be cause for concern. Since Week 7 they rank 24th in offensive EPA.
Byron Leftwich
Current position: Offensive Coordinator, Dallas Cowboys
Why it works: Leftwich took over as the Bucs’ offensive coordinator ahead of the 2019 season. In that period they have ranked fifth in the NFL in EPA per play. They have also ranked inside the top three in points scored in each of those three seasons. Leftwich has helped to build one of football’s most explosive offenses and was the team’s play caller on their postseason run to the Super Bowl in 2020. Like Moore, he could help to re-energise an underperforming offense.
Why it doesn’t: The obvious question with Leftwich is whether or not he is responsible for the Bucs’ offensive success. Having the greatest quarterback of all time under center is obviously a huge advantage and we haven’t seen him call plays with any other quarterback. Bruce Arians was also responsible for Tampa Bay’s play calling duties until late in the 2020 season. Leftwich’s lack of NFL head coaching experience may also work against him.
Doug Pederson
Last position: Head Coach, Philadelphia Eagles
Why it works: Pederson offers head coaching experience and a track record of success. In his five seasons as Eagles head coach they went 42-37-1. This includes three straight winning seasons with playoff appearances between 2017-19. He has a record of building a winning team and has proven he can get the best out of his quarterbacks. Carson Wentz was in the MVP conversation in 2017, and he took a team led by Nick Foles to the Lombardi Trophy.
Why it doesn’t: Some time has passed, but it is difficult to forget just how poor the Eagles were in Pederson’s final season. They went 4-11-1 in 2020, ranking 29th in EPA per play and 31st in points per drive. There were also reports towards the end of the season that Pederson lost the locker room as a result of his coaching decisions. In light of the Urban Meyer drama, the Jags need a unifying figure. That might not be Pederson.
Pete Carroll
Current position: Head Coach, Seattle Seahawks
Why it works: Carroll ticks a lot of the boxes you are looking for in a head coaching candidate. He is in his 12th year as the Seattle head coach, having led them to nine winning seasons, eight of which had double digit wins. He has also led them to the Super Bowl twice, winning the Lombardi Trophy once. Carroll is known across the league as a players’ coach and one who commands respect across the locker room. With Russell Wilson potentially on his way out and a rebuild on the horizon, Carroll may also be open to a change of scenery.
Why it doesn’t: The obvious concern with Carroll is his age. At 70 years old he is the oldest head coach in the NFL. It is unlikely that he presents a long-term option, and the Jaguars may want to look for someone more permanent. There is also the fact that Seattle have looked poor this season and are likely to finish at the foot of the NFC West. Carroll has often been derided for his conservative play calling too, and that isn’t going to get the best out of Trevor Lawrence needs.
Jim Caldwell
Last position: Assistant head coach, Miami Dolphins
Why it works: Caldwell has a proven track record as an NFL head coach. In particular, he has shown the ability to turn around poor teams quickly. Prior to taking over as Lions head coach in 2014, Detroit had just one winning season in 13 years. Caldwell lead them to three in his four years in charge, including two playoff appearances. They haven’t had a single one in the five years since his departure. That will be music to the ears of a Jags franchise with just one winning season in the last decade.
Why it doesn’t: Caldwell has been out of the NFL for a number of years now. He had a brief six month period as an assistant coach with the Dolphins in 2019, but stood down due to health concerns. It isn’t clear whether or not he would even want to return to the league. Even if he does, he hasn’t held a head coaching role since 2017. The NFL has changed a lot in that period, and some may feel that there are more forward-thinking options available.
