The Jacksonville Jaguars have their new Head Coach.
The team has confirmed some big personnel moves, including promoting Interim Head Coach Doug Marrone to Head Coach, hiring Tom Coughlin as Executive Vice President of Football Operations, and extending the contract of General Manager Dave Caldwell.
“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,” says a statement from Jags Owner Shad Khan.
The moves were first reported by ESPN, and soon after by the NFL Network.
Marrone served as interim head coach for two games, after the team let go of Gus Bradley. The Jags won one of those games- which was their first win at EverBank Field this season- and lost the other. Before becoming Interim Head Coach, Marrone was Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach. Prior to that, he had two seasons as Head Coach of the Buffalo Bills.
“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,” Khan says.
Caldwell is also getting a contract extension, so that Caldwell, Coughlin, and Marrone are all contracted through 2019.
Coughlin- who was the first Head Coach of the Jaguars franchise- is taking on an executive role here. He led the team to four playoff appearances in his first five seasons, before taking over at the New York Giants and bringing in two Super Bowl victories. Khan says “winning was customary” in Coughlin’s time in Jacksonville, and he believes that expectation will continue during his return.
Both Marrone and Caldwell will report to Coughlin.
The Jaguars parted ways with Gus Bradley at the tail end of his fourth season. Jags Owner Shad Khan praised Bradley for his commitment to the team and the players, but said it was "evident" change was needed.
Marrone becomes the team’s fifth full-time Head Coach in franchise history. The Jaguars are holding a press conference Thursday to provide more information.
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