For now, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will take over for Urban Meyer as interim head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He held the same position for five games last season after the Detroit Lions fired Matt Patricia.
If he does well, he has the inside track of becoming the Jaguars’ full-time head coach.
His over two decades of NFL coaching experience will guide rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars.
Shaquill Griffin said “the jaguars need a head coach who actually believes in what they players are saying.” pic.twitter.com/m2CtzkLN6r
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) December 16, 2021
Bevell is also a winner from his time as the offensive coordinator of the Seattle Seahawks squad that won Super Bowl XLVIII.
But there’s also a chance that he remains the Jaguars’ offensive coordinator while they hire another coach.
While there’s a current trend in the league about young head coaches, team owner Shad Khan can consider bringing in a veteran coach who can impart much wisdom.
Here are other mentors that the Jaguars could consider.
3. Jim Caldwell
Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores hired Jim Caldwell to become a quarterbacks coach for the 2019 season.
However, he took a leave of absence before the season started due to health issues but remained a team consultant.
That was the last time he was on an NFL sideline.
It’s a travesty that he’s not coaching a team, especially when he led the Lions to consecutive 9-7 seasons in 2016 and 2017.
Jim Caldwell’s four seasons with the Lions:
2014: 11-5 (playoffs)
2015: 7-9
2016: 9-7 (playoffs)
2017: 9-7Lions haven’t had a winning season since. pic.twitter.com/0cCsSSKaO9
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) December 16, 2021
Those years were the last winning seasons that the franchise had.
Unfortunately, in true Lions fashion, they let him go for Matt Patricia, who did nothing during his tenure.
Caldwell only had two losing records in seven seasons as head coach.
That achievement should be enough to get him a chance to lead the Jaguars.
2. Byron Leftwich
It would be a homecoming for Byron Leftwich if the Jaguars hired him as their head coach.
The former Marshall standout played in Jacksonville for four seasons and made the playoffs in 2005.
But being a former player isn’t the only credential that he has to merit consideration.
He won Super Bowl XLIII as a backup quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Over a decade later, he won another title as offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Leonard Fournette gives a good endorsement of Byron Leftwich as the next #Jaguars HC but doesn’t want to lose him
Lombardi Lenny joined @E_Dilla @MiaOBrienTV @ShopTalkingWigg pic.twitter.com/hvxz7Z6iOK
— Tyler Devitte (@TylerDevitte) December 16, 2021
Coaching Tom Brady alone should be enough criteria to get him hired.
However, he’s also backing up his great coaching with numbers.
As of Week 14, his schemes allowed the Buccaneers to become the best team in terms of total yards, passing yards, and points per game.
Having an offensive-minded mentor like him will help Lawrence develop faster.
1. Eric Bieniemy
He’s always on the candidate’s list for any NFL head coaching job.
But for some reason, no one hires him to lead their team.
However, there’s no denying that Eric Bieniemy gets the job done.
He won Super Bowl LIV as offensive coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.
Eric Bieniemy is a head coach.— Daron K. Roberts (@CoachDKR) December 17, 2021
They had another appearance in the big game a year later but lost to Tampa Bay.
This year, the Chiefs remain one of the top contenders in the league because of their high-powered offense.
The Chiefs have had double-digit wins ever since he joined the team in 2018 and made the playoffs every year since.
The Jaguars would benefit from hiring him to let his wisdom turn the franchise’s fortunes around.
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