Welcome to Large Cat Nation’s employees roundtable!
This week, we’re right here to speak in regards to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ seek for a brand new head coach.
Query 1: What must be extra essential to the Jaguars, discovering a coach who can maximize Trevor Lawrence or one who can rebuild the tradition?
Dillon Appleman: Precedence primary needs to be making certain the long-term funding in Trevor Lawrence pays off. Tradition is nice, but when Trevor doesn’t attain his potential, it will probably solely take you thus far.
Simon Carroll: This will likely have extra to do with possession and/or entrance workplace points, however the Jaguars seem to have lacked an identification since Doug Marrone took the group to the AFC Championship Sport after the 2017 season. Getting the most effective model of Trevor Lawrence is undoubtedly essential, however he’s only one man – and except there’s a wholesome tradition for him to function in, it will seemingly be for nothing.
Caitlin Connor: I believe discovering a coach that rebuilds the tradition is extra essential. I really feel like as soon as the tradition shifts, we’ll see a very completely different soccer group, together with Trevor Lawrence.
Travis Holmes: The apparent reply is each are wanted, but when I’m made to attract a line within the sand, then I’m going to land on the facet of a rebuilt tradition. Curiously, if you could find the correct coach who’s in a position to rebuild the tradition right into a extra bodily and aggressive basis, then you could simply maximize Trevor in an oblique means.
Gus Logue: I believe tradition is extra essential in a vacuum however the Jaguars do have a franchise quarterback in place. Plus, off-field management is more durable to gauge than on-field effectivity for teaching candidates. I might go along with the most effective offensive-minded candidate out there. If Lawrence emerges as a top-five quarterback, the remainder of the roster will probably be simpler to develop.
Henry Zimmer: I believe discovering a coach who can maximize Trevor Lawrence goes hand in hand with rebuilding the tradition. Proper now, Lawrence isn’t being handled or dealt with because the group’s cornerstone man. If the following coach can reinvigorate him, then the tradition of confidence ought to include it.
Query 2: Do you count on Trent Baalke to stay the Jaguars’ normal supervisor, or do you see a path for him to be displaced by the brand new head coach?
Dillon: I count on Baalke to stay the GM for 2025 along with his future past that contingent on the rapid return on funding that this subsequent coach brings. Not saying that must be the technique however that’s my intestine feeling.
Si: Sadly, I believe it’s much more seemingly that Shad Khan opts for a ‘lesser ’ teaching candidate who can be keen to work throughout the present construction slightly than using a disruptor who desires wholesale entrance workplace change. Teflon Baalke will seemingly nonetheless be right here for the following teaching rent, not to mention this one.
Caitlin: I stay cautiously optimistic about Baalke’s tenure because the Jaguars’ normal supervisor. Whereas I believe he must be gone and hope that the brand new head coach would have somewhat say about his place, it wouldn’t shock me if he stays for an additional season.
Travis: Whereas I can acknowledge the rumors, I can not foresee a future the place Trent Baalke is just not employed as a GM by a Shad Khan group. I merely don’t have area in my coronary heart for that kind of hope. In my crystal ball, the 12 months will probably be 2028, and the Jaguars’ normal supervisor Trent Baalke will probably be slicing the ribbon on the ‘Stadium of the Future.’ That’s and can eternally be my ongoing expectation till Shad instantly says in any other case.
Gus: There appeared to be an opportunity of Baalke being reassigned if Ben Johnson might persuade Shad Khan. Nonetheless, when Baalke was retained as normal supervisor, that each one however ended the Johnson-to-Jacksonville connection. Now that Johnson has agreed to turn out to be the Bears’ subsequent head coach, I very extremely doubt Baalke goes wherever.
Henry: I discover it exhausting to consider Baalke will preserve his present place. He could transfer into an advisory function as a result of he clearly has a good relationship with Shad Khan, however adjustments at GM should happen if this group is ever going to get again on observe.
Query 3: How have your opinions on the Jaguars’ head coach search modified in latest weeks?
Dillon: My opinion initially was that if we didn’t get Ben Johnson then we’ve failed. That has modified somewhat bit in latest weeks as I’ve taken time to dive into the backgrounds of different candidates. There are a number of names I might really feel assured in if employed.
Si: Not like different groups, no candidates have refused an interview with the Jags – so not less than that’s one thing! Khan has gone with head teaching expertise in his final three hires (admittedly, City Meyer’s resume got here from the faculty ranks solely), so it was pleasantly shocking to see seven of the ten shortlisted in search of their first alternative within the huge chair. Finally, I believe their ambition and possession’s cautious strategy means we find yourself with a retread rent – we’ve already seen Ben Johnson select another new dwelling.
Caitlin: I used to be fully bought on Ben Johnson and didn’t take note of anybody else as a possible substitute for Pederson. After studying the teaching profiles and seeing the information that Johnson is headed to Chicago, Aaron Glenn is a powerful frontrunner for me and I’m extra open to somebody not named Johnson as the brand new head coach.
Travis: The Large Cat Nation teaching profile sequence has deepened my understanding of some lesser-known candidates, their historical past, and their alternative areas. At first of this sequence, I held the next precedence on offensive guys and prior head teaching expertise solely. By the top of the sequence, guys like Todd Monken and Aaron Glenn had moved up in my rankings of the coaches when lining them up instantly towards the others. And my primary and quantity two teaching preferences actually flipped, with me not being “all-in” on Ben Johnson, as I as soon as was.
Gus: I recognize that the Jaguars appear to need a younger, offensive-minded coach to pair with Lawrence for a very long time. However the course of has been horrific. It’s one factor for Shad Khan to say cleansing home can be suicidal and to decide on Trent Baalke over Ben Johnson. It’s one other for Jacksonville to be so affected person with this teaching search — Johnson was employed Monday, and Aaron Glenn could possibly be employed instantly after his Tuesday in-person interview with the Jets. Why didn’t the Jaguars get both Lions coordinator within the constructing as quickly as potential as soon as Detroit was knocked from the playoffs? Why is their subsequent interview not till Thursday? Baalke’s total promoting level to Khan is that he is aware of how one can run a group, however even when we assume Baalke is making an attempt to maintain his personal job greater than something, this was a poor course of.
Henry: With Ben Johnson off the desk, I believe Liam Coen can do basically the identical factor: make this offense inventive and get probably the most out of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Coen is probably not as flashy as Johnson however he has made Baker Mayfield a top-flight quarterback when basically he was out of the league. It shouldn’t be that onerous to get Lawrence proper there as effectively.
Query 4: Who’re your prime three selections, so as of choice, to be the Jaguars’ subsequent head coach?
Dillon: Aaron Glenn, Todd Monken, Liam Coen
Si: Aaron Glenn, Liam Coen, Robert Saleh
Caitlin: Aaron Glenn, Liam Coen, Kellen Moore
Travis: Liam Coen, Aaron Glenn, Joe Brady
Gus: Liam Coen, Joe Brady, Robert Saleh
Henry: Liam Coen, Aaron Glenn, Rob Saleh
What are your ideas, Jaguars followers? Tell us within the feedback under!