Following the failure of the Urban Meyer experience for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the NFL team is in need of a new head coach. Friday morning, Ian Rapaport reported that the team is bringing in two separate candidates to interview for the head coaching position, Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
#Cowboys OC Kellen Moore will interview for the #Jaguars head coaching job tonight, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 7, 2022
Kellen Moore should get multiple interviews. This is his first. #Bucs OC Byron Leftwich is also today (virtually) in Jax. https://t.co/Oy1UeKroI9
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2022
Leftwich is particularly interesting due to his connection to the Jaguars. Many fans of the team can remember his time as their quarterback from 2003-2006.
It was also announced yesterday that the Jaguars will be interviewing former Houston Texans head coach and current Alabama offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien.
Here are some reactions around social media to the candidates that the Jaguars have announced.
Would be so cool if Leftwitch became jags HC. After being drafted there.
— Mike Urtaza (@urtazablue) January 7, 2022
Bill O’Brien doesn’t deserve to be a head coach again! He single handedly dismantled the Texans. Let him stay in college for at least 10 years.
— Chris Davis (@ChiliChris) January 7, 2022
Wasn’t this dude just playing at Boise yesterday ? https://t.co/2Dxf80OmPr
— RMR (@whatrmr) January 7, 2022
There’s a good report here. O’Brien wants no part of personnel decisions, makes him much more intriguing imo. I still believe there are better candidates, however. https://t.co/bteZm3C6QO
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) January 7, 2022
Guessing Byron Leftwich wont be getting the job now https://t.co/5jeI4JXsHz
— Roy Bellamy (@roybelly) January 7, 2022
O’Brien does bring some good qualities. His time in Houston wasn’t a complete disaster, going to the playoffs four times in his six seasons there. However he had control over the personnel decision in Houston, and on that end, O’Brien was a train wreck.
With the lack of stability that Meyer brought to the Jaguars this season, whoever the Jaguars bring in to become the next head coach needs to be reliable and able to manage the locker room.
Jaguars fans have clearly had enough of the dysfunction that has been going on this season, as they plan to protest their Week 18 game against the Indianapolis Colts by wearing clown costumes. While it doesn’t appear that the Jaguars are parting ways with their questionable GM Trent Baalke, they can at least bring in a coach that can help change the culture of the team around.
