Replacing Gus Bradley

9/26/2016

The Jaguars coaching situation is grim. Here we shed some light on potential coaching candidates that could get things turned around for a Jaguars team that is struggling mightily.
By Jordan de Lugo - @jordandelugo

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Many Jaguars fans would love to see Gus Bradley get fired as I write this piece. Chances are he won't be fired until after the contest against the Colts in London at the very earliest and we likely won't know who will be the new leader of the Jaguars until early next offseason, but here we'll look at several coaches that could turn things around for the Jaguars in the near future. The Jaguars will likely be able to lure most coaches with an unlimited check book and a host of young talent.

The Current Employee - Doug Marrone

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Doug Marrone has been on the Jaguars coaching staff for the last two years as the offensive line coach and assistant head coach. During his time in Jacksonville, he hasn't done anything really flashy and the offensive line hasn't been impressive to say the least. Some of that poor offensive line play can be blamed on injuries, some of it on youth, and some of it on a lack of talent. The bottom line is Marrone is a guy that has proven he can get it done in this league as a head coach. During his two years as Buffalo's coach he guided them to a 15-17 record despite having E.J. Manuel as his starting QB in 14 of those 32 contests. Unlike almost every other former head coach Marrone didn't get fired, he voluntarily resigned after a change in ownership. Marrone knows the Jaguars roster and knows how to win games in the NFL even with subpar QB play. He may not be the sexiest candidate, but he is the most likely guy to be named interim head coach if Bradley gets canned during the season. This would be a great audition period for him that could earn him the Jaguars head coaching gig moving forward or more interviews down the road.

The Defensive Guru - Sean McDermott

McDermott has been a fixture in the NFL coaching on the defensive side of ball since 2004. He started his coaching career as the assistant defensive backs coach for the Eagles and rose up the ranks quickly. In 2011 he was hand picked by Ron Rivera to guide his defense in Carolina. Since then he has boasted by far the best and most consistent defense in the NFL helping to transform young talented kids Kawaan Short, Luke Kuechly, and Josh Norman into all world football players. McDermott's resume isn't too dissimilar to the Jaguars current head coach Gus Bradley, a former defensive back coach rising up the ranks to become considered one of the top defensive coordinators in the game. McDermott was one of the hottest names in coaching searches after helping the Panthers reach the 2015 Super Bowl and likely will be again in 2016.

Other defensive minds to consider: Matt Patricia (NE), Jim Schwartz (PHI), Mike Smith (TB)

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The Offensive Guru - Josh McDaniels

McDaniels already had his shot at head coach once. During his time as the head coach for the Denver Broncos McDaniels did some things really well, but he was terrible at one simple thing - keeping his emotions in check. McDaniels was 11-17 as the Broncos head coach. After a 6-0 start in his first ever head coaching gig, McDaniels and his team fell apart going 5-17 over the last 23 games of his head coaching career. McDaniels was fired after less than two seasons and eventually ended up back in New England as an offensive assistant and has now been their offensive coordinator for the last five seasons. Sure, he's worked with Tom Brady and Bill Belichik for most his career, which has certainly helped his career trajectory, but McDaniels has done some really good things with other QBs. He helped Matt Cassel throw 21 TDs to 11 INTs in 2008 when Brady was injured. In 2009 and 2010 while the head coach of the Broncos he coached Kyle Orton to the two best seasons of his life. Orton threw over 20 TDs both years and didn't throw more than 12 INTs in that span. This year, in Tom Brady's absence, he's helped Jimmy Garopolo look like a Pro Bowler and Jacoby Brissett a seasoned veteran in Tom Brady's absence. The bottom line is this guy knows how to get the most out of his QBs and apparently learned a lot from his failures as a head coach in Denver. He recently told Bleacher Report:

I don't know that I was as patient as I needed to be in most situations, whether it was game-planning, on the sidelines, preparation for the draft, personnel moves, whatever... There is an element of this game that tests your ability to slow down and make a good decision. I was allowing the way I felt at the moment to make the decision.

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McDaniels was a hot head when he was younger, but it seems he learned from his mistakes. His track record is undeniable and his ability to get the most out of QBs should be greatly appealing to the Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell. If I was the Jaguars GM, McDaniels would be high on my list of potential Gus Bradley replacements.

Other offensive minds to consider: Jim Bob Cooter (DET), Todd Haley (PIT), Darrell Bevell (SEA)

The Legend - Tom Coughlin

I know, I know, it seems so far fetched. Tom Coughlin's too old. Why would he come back? How long could he coach for? But just listen for a moment. Coughlin has all but said publicly that he would be interested in coaching again. Why not reunite with your greatest head coach in franchise history? A guy that has won 2 Super Bowls, and has raised countless young and talented players to glory. Enough with the raw raw stuff. Coughlin is a straight shooter and based on his health and desire it appears Coughlin could have several more good years left in him as a head coach. You want to talk accountability? Coughlin will bring to the table what Gus Bradley can't. He'll demand respect and he'll get it. The Jaguars have a ton of young talent and Coughlin could be the guy to get them over the top. And what a story it would be. I'm not saying this is likely to happen, but it could be a good pairing if this reunion ever came to fruition.

Other former coaches to consider: Bill Cowher, John Gruden, Tony Dungy (I highly doubt any of them will return to coaching this year or any other)

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