Five possible head coaching candidates for the Jaguars
Barring a turnaround of extreme proportions, Gus Bradley will not be the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2017. As of this writing, he has a 12-39 record as the Jags’ coach. Leading the team to an 0-3 start isn’t doing him any favors. If he doesn’t win in London this Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, he won’t last the plane ride home. Here are five coaches who could be suitable replacements.
5) Kyle Shanahan, Falcons offensive coordinator
Kyle Shanahan is one of the best offensive coordinators in the game today. Under his wing, the teams he has coached have been top-ten offenses five times in eight years. He has helped develop Devonta Freeman in Atlanta, as well as the Falcons’ entire offensive line.
Shanahan has also learned from some of the best in the business. He has been under the mentorship of coaches like Jon Gruden, Gary Kubiak and his father, Mike Shanahan. Still only 36, the Jaguars could hold on to him for a long time if they chose to hire him.
4) Matt Patricia, Patriots defensive coordinator
The only defensive-minded coach on this line, Matt Patricia has been a head-coaching candidate for a couple of years now. He has been the Patriots’ defensive coordinator since 2012, and has retained the job for a good reason: he’s a really good coach.
Patricia has helped the Pats’ defense become one of the best in the league year in and year out. He is a bright and creative coach who is good at adapting his defense in order to win games. He is, for the most part, a good fit scheme-wise for what Jacksonville is currently running. Patricia does incorporate some 3-4 plays into his defense, but the Jaguars have plenty of players with experience in that defense. If the Jags want defense, Patricia is their guy.
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3) Frank Reich, Eagles offensive coordinator
The Eagles have gotten off to a terrific start so far this year. They are 3-0, mainly thanks to the stellar play of rookie quarterback Carson Wentz. His quick development can be credited to Philly’s coaching staff. One of the main reasons for his success has been offensive coordinator Frank Reich. A former QB himself, Reich led the Buffalo Bills in their famous comeback against the Houston Oilers in the wild card game in 1993.
Reich has been the quarterback coach for two of the best quarterbacks of the 21st century: Peyton Manning and Philip Rivers. Granted, those two were already great when Reich came in, but that means he knows how they play. Jaguars fans would hope that he could rub a little bit of Manning or Rivers onto Blake Bortles. He’s helped develop Wentz – could he help fix Bortles before it’s too late?
2) Doug Marrone, Jaguars offensive line coach/assistant head coach
This hire would be the easiest transition for the Jaguars. Doug Marrone has been the Jags’ o-line coach and assistant head coach for two years. Before his hiring in 2015, Marrone was the head coach at Syracuse for four years before heading to the NFL. He led the Buffalo Bills to a 9-7 record despite having a less-than-stellar offensive group to work with.
He would likely use the same system, so hiring him would make it easier on the players. If the Jaguars were to fire Bradley before the season ended, Marrone would step in as the interim coach. If he were even average at the job, the Jaguars would definitely look into keeping him around long-term.
1) Josh McDaniels, Patriots offensive coordinator
The season is barely underway, yet Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is the hottest head coaching candidate in the league today. He did have a dreadful stint as Denver’s head coach a few years back, but he has since learned from his mistakes.
McDaniels is one of the brightest offensive minds in the game today. He is doing wonders right now in New England, even without key players like Tom Brady, Dion Lewis and (for most of the season so far) Rob Gronkowski. He is a creative play-caller who is still only 40 years old. If given the current roster that the Jags have on offense, McDaniels could wreck havoc on opposing defenses. Hiring McDaniels could be a step in the right direction for the Jaguars.
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