Jaguars HC candidate profile: Nathaniel Hackett
As Jacksonville continues to progress through its coaching search to replace Urban Meyer, who was fired after 13 games this season, there’s a clear trend toward coaches with offensive backgrounds when it comes to the names being interviewed for the opening. One of those names Jags fans may recall from a few years back is Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who previously held the same role in Jacksonville.
The idea of hiring Hackett isn’t necessarily as flashy as some of the coordinators interviewing for the job, such as Byron Leftwich and Kellen Moore, would be. But with that being said, what’s most important is getting this hire right and especially finding someone who can develop quarterback, Trevor Lawrence.
There’s reason to believe Hackett is capable of doing just that, and here’s what you need to know about him as a potential candidate.
Background
Hackett started his coaching career in 2003 and spent the next seven seasons as an off-field staffer at both the college and pro levels. He got his first big break in 2010 when he was hired to be the passing game coordinator at Syracuse under coach Doug Marrone and was promoted to offensive coordinator the following season.
When Marrone left Syracuse for the Bills job, Hackett returned to Buffalo, where he was an offensive quality control coach from 2008-09, to serve as the offensive coordinator. He held that role for two seasons, but when Marrone opted out of his contract in Buffalo and became the Jags offensive line coach in 2015, Hackett came with him to serve as quarterbacks coach.
Jacksonville fired head coach Gus Bradley and promoted Marrone to the interim role. Marrone in turn promoted Hackett to interim offensive coordinator, and when the former got the full-time job, so did the latter. Hackett was the Jaguars’ play-caller for two seasons, including the 2017 AFC Championship run.
However, after a 3-8 start in 2018, Marrone fired his longtime assistant, who quickly landed in Green Bay as the offensive coordinator. He’s been there for the last three seasons where he has led elite offenses under Matt LaFleur with future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers at his disposal.
Why Hackett could be a good hire?
There’s no doubt that Hackett has a polarizing reputation among Jags fans, and some of you likely let out an audible groan upon hearing arguments as to why he could be a good option for the team. It’s true that the offense was never the bright spot of the team under Hackett, with the defense instead leading the team on the 2017 playoff run.
However, Hackett’s work in Green Bay cannot be ignored. This season, the Packers rank 10th in both total offense and scoring offense. That’s actually a step back from last season in which the team had the best scoring offense and fifth-best total offense in football.
Still, considering the Packers entered the season unsure about the future of Rodgers, who has entertained trade talk and was none-too-pleased about the decision to draft a quarterback in the first round in 2020, it’s hard to overlook Hackett’s influence. It also should be worth noting that the Packers have the best record in football, something that Hackett, of course, has played a role in.
Even his time in Jacksonville doesn’t look too shabby in hindsight. After the anemic offenses the team has put out over the last four seasons, 2017’s unit doesn’t seem all that bad. Leonard Fournette ran for over 1,000 yards as a rookie that season, and Bortles had one of the most efficient seasons of his career under Hackett’s tutelage.
Bortles finished with 3,687 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions while completing more than 60% of his passes for the first time in his career. His passer rating of 84.7 was also the second-best of his career behind his prolific but mistake-heavy 2015 season.
The concerns with hiring Hackett are clear. His offenses were middling at best in Jacksonville, Matt LaFleur calls the plays, and it’s hard to run a bad offense when you have Rodgers as your signal-caller. With that being said, Hackett is just 42 and deserves to have his name listed among the up-and-coming coaching prospects in the league. If the Jaguars are set on making an offensive hire, there are worse options than a reunion with Hackett.
