In true Jaguars fashion, the team apparently fumbled an opportunity to interview a candidate for its head coach opening, following the firing of Urban Meyer on Dec. 16.
According to multiple reports, Jacksonville wants to interview Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell in-person, but will have to wait until after he coaches L.A. in Super Bowl 2022 against the Bengals on Feb. 13 following the Rams’ win over the 49ers on Sunday.
The Jaguars did not include O’Connell on its list of candidates during the initial interview period, therefore delaying an opportunity to meet with him currently.
O’Connell is apparently a big fan of Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, whose growth was stunted in his debut NFL season in part due to drama within the organization.
ESPN reported that the Jaguars were interviewing former Raiders interim head coach Rich Bisaccia on Monday. Former Eagles head coach Doug Pederson will get a second interview with Jacksonville on Tuesday, according to NFL Network.
O’Connell, the former Jets backup quarterback, is a top candidate with the Vikings and Texans, according to NFL Network, after Mike Zimmer and David Culley were fired earlier this month.
The Jaguars want to interview Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell for their head coach opening, but they’re not allowed to now. Getty ImagesO’Connell reportedly impressed in an interview with Denver — which considered stalling the Jan. 27 hire of Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett just to speak with O’Connell again.
NFL Network also reported that Buccaneers offensive coordinator and former Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich is still a strong candidate for the head coaching job in Jacksonville.
Last week, conflicting reports claimed the Jaguars were close to hiring Leftwich as head coach and firing general manager Trent Baalke. The Jaguars were going to replace Baalke with Adrian Wilson, Arizona Cardinals vice president of pro scouting. So far, the latter has yet to happen. Leftwich reportedly wants Baalke gone.
Jaguars fans were fed up with the franchise during the season finale. The coaching search probably hasn’t helped. Getty ImagesJacksonville has already interviewed Leftwich, former Colts and Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, former Broncos head coach Vic Fangio, former Texans head coach Bill O’Brien, Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and Darrell Bevell, who was the Jaguars’ interim head coach after they fired Meyer.
The Jaguars have been working to move on from the disastrous Meyer hire that put the team in a 2-11 hole before he was fired in his first season.
Meyer made controversial headlines for extracurricular activities that put the team under a microscope, including a video scandal in which he danced with a woman who was not his wife.
