The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the hunt for a new person behind the wheel of their defense. After allowing at least 28 points in four of their last six games during a disastrous tailspin that ended their 2023 season, the team fired defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell.
While the team wasted no time lining up interviews, it’s also possible the Jaguars’ search for someone to fill the vacancy could take some time. As head coaching positions fill up, some of the high profile coaches who missed out on those jobs could be prime candidates to join Doug Pederson’s staff.
For now, there’s still a handful of names who have already emerged as potential defensive coordinator choices for the Jaguars.
Here’s a running list of every coach who has reportedly received interest from Jacksonville in the search for Caldwell’s replacement:
Wink Martindale
Résumé:
- Giants defensive coordinator (2022-2023)
- Ravens defensive coordinator (2018-2021)
- Ravens linebackers coach (2012-2017)
- Broncos defensive coordinator (2010)
- Broncos linebackers coach (2009)
- Raiders linebackers coach (2004-2008)
Latest report:
Ex-Giants and Ravens DC Wink Martindale is scheduled to interview for the Jaguars coordinator job on Tuesday and Wednesday, per source. His scheme is one a LOT of teams are interested in.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 13, 2024
Chris Hewitt
Résumé:
- Ravens pass game coordinator/secondary coach (2022-present)
- Ravens pass game coordinator (2020-2021)
- Ravens defensive backs coach (2012-2019)
Latest report:
It's not just Dennard Wilson. #Ravens pass-game coordinator Chris Hewitt will interview with the #Jaguars for their DC job this weekend. https://t.co/tUvTnV44Xs
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2024
Marquand Manuel
Résumé:
- Jets safeties coach (2021-present)
- Eagles defensive backs coach (2020)
- Falcons defensive coordinator (2017-2018)
- Falcons secondary coach (2015-2016)
Latest report:
The #Jaguars have requested to interview #Jets’ safeties coach Marquand Manuel for their open DC position, sources tell @BleacherReport.
Manuel played eight NFL seasons at DB and has been coaching for over a decade. pic.twitter.com/4hsmEZt2Eb
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 12, 2024
Shane Bowen
Résumé:
- Titans defensive coordinator (2021-present)
- Titans outside linebackers coach (2018-2020)
- Texans defensive assistant (2016-2017)
Latest report:
#Jaguars are expected to interview #Titans DC Shane Bowen later this week for their open defensive coordinator job, per sources.
Bowen’s defense got the late-game goal-line stop on Jacksonville in Week 18 to keep the Jags out of the playoffs.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 15, 2024
Chris Harris
Résumé:
- Titans pass game coordinator/cornerbacks coach (2023-present)
- Commanders defensive backs coach (2020-2022)
- Chargers assistant defensive backs coach (2016-2019)
Latest report:
Titans defensive pass-game coordinator Chris Harris will interview for the Jaguars defensive coordinator position tomorrow, per source. Harris has been close on a few DC jobs (he was runner-up in Green Bay) of late.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 15, 2024
Ryan Nielsen
Résumé:
- Falcons defensive coordinator/defensive line coach (2023-present)
- Saints co-defensive coordinator/defensive line coach (2022)
- Saints assistant head coach/defensive line coach (2021)
- Saints defensive line coach (2017-2020)
Latest report:
SOURCE: Falcons defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen is expected to interview for the Jaguars DC job. Nielsen made a big impact in his 1st season, improving the Falcons from 26th to 7th in YPP allowed; from 31st in the NFL to 3rd in 3rd down D; and from 25th to 8th in pass defense.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 17, 2024
Ejiro Evero
Résumé:
- Panthers defensive coordinator (2023-present)
- Broncos defensive coordinator (2022)
- Rams pass game coordinator/secondary coach (2021)
- Rams safeties coach (2017-2020)
Latest report:
#Panthers have blocked #Jaguars’ request to interview DC Ejiro Evero for Jacksonville’s coordinator job, per league sources. Carolina plans to interview Evero for its head coaching position.
Evero led Panthers’ fourth-ranked total defense despite Carolina’s NFL-worst offense.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 10, 2024
