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Jacksonville Jaguars: 5 Coaches to Replace Urban Meyer

By Christopher Thomas

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 26: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rolls out of the pocket during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 26, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 26: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars rolls out of the pocket during the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on December 26, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 24: Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of the Green Bay Packers watches action prior to a game against the Washington Football Team at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – OCTOBER 24: Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett of the Green Bay Packers watches action prior to a game against the Washington Football Team at Lambeau Field on October 24, 2021 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Nathaniel Hackett: Offensive Coordinator, Green Bay Packers

Another reunion that could occur in Jacksonville this season could be if they hire Nathaniel Hackett to be their next head coach. Hackett has spent a majority of his coaching career with Doug Marrone at Syracyse, the Buffalo Bills, and Jacksonville Jaguars. He was the offensive coordinator for Marrone at Syracuse and Buffalo.

Then when Marrone went to Jacksonville, Hackett followed him and became their quarterback coach in 2015. Hackett was then promoted to offfensive coordinator in 2016 when Marrone became the team’s interim and then perminant head coach. The following season Hackett’s offense led by Blake Bortles and Leonard Fournette played well enough to win a playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers and make an AFC Championship appearance. He was then let go by the Jaguars during the 2018 season.

Hackett’s next job was with the Green Bay Packers as their offensive coordinator when Matt LaFleur took over as their head coach in 2019. There was a lot of criticism about both the LaFleur and Hackett hires considering how their respective previous offenses had ranked in the league before landing the job in Green Bay.

To many people’s surprise they have been great hires for the Packers. Since landing in Green Bay they have had a great two-headed backfields led by Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams or Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon. Adding a great running game to an offfense that features Aaron Rodgers has brought the Packers to two straight NFC Championship appearances and possiblty Rodgers second MVP.

At this point of his career it seems like Aaron Rodgers does not have a large inner circle of players and coaches he is fond of in Green Bay. Based on reports Hackett may be in that circle of people he enjoys working with. Last offseason Rodgers went out of his way to call the Atlanta Falcons before Hackett’s interview with them for their head coaching position and told them to hire Hackett. That is outstanding praise to have that kind of recommendation from the reigning MVP.

Hackett doesn’t have a great track record of developing young quarterbacks. But his experience with Aaron Rodgers should benefit the long-term development of Trevor Lawrence. Hackett may be able to teach some of the practices and preparation of Rodgers to Lawrence that will help him be a better pro down the road.

If Hackett was to be hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars this could mean better production from their team’s running backs. He has a great track record of having dynamic rushing attacks at his previous destinations. During his time in Buffalo both C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson had great seasons and carried the Bills offense. Then in Jacksonville Leonard Fournette looked like the next star running back early on in his carrer. Then recently Aaron Jones has developed into a Pro Bowl running back and both Jamaal Williams and A.J. Dillon have developed into two of the better change of pace running backs in the league. This could mean both great seasons for James Robinson and Travis Etienne going forward.

Many people around the league describe Hackett as a “corky” person which could go over well with a young roster who just had a head coach that seemed to be very cocky, arrogant, and acted like a dictator. He could be a perfect fit for this Jacksonville Jaguars team and the next coach from this coaching tree to have great success at the next level.

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