The Jacksonville Jaguars are making waves in the NFL by putting together one of the youngest coaching staffs in the league. Head coach Liam Coen, at 39 years old, recently appointed Grant Udinski as the team's offensive coordinator. Despite this, Coen intends to handle play-calling duties during his time with the Jaguars.
Udinski, aged 29, joins Jacksonville after a successful stint with the Minnesota Vikings, where he worked under coach Kevin O'Connell and earned two promotions. Starting as an assistant to the head coach/special projects, Udinski progressed to assistant quarterbacks coach in 2023 and then assistant offensive coordinator in the following year.
Coen expressed his excitement about Udinski's addition, stating, 'Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge, energy, and a winning mindset to help lead our offense here in Jacksonville. He is a rising star in this league and has been a key part of the Vikings organization's success.'
Furthermore, Coen also brought in Anthony Campanile, the Green Bay Packers' run-game coordinator and linebackers coach, as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator. Campanile, 42, with five NFL seasons under his belt, will be serving as a defensive coordinator for the first time in his career.
With a first-time head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator, the Jaguars are undergoing a significant coaching overhaul. Additionally, the team recently appointed Hall of Fame left tackle Tony Boselli as the executive vice president and is on track to name a first-time general manager post-Super Bowl.
Udinski, a former college tight end at Davidson and Towson, began his coaching journey as a graduate assistant at Baylor under Matt Rhule in 2019. His dedication to the craft was evident when he lived in his car in a Walmart parking lot before moving in with Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Phil Snow.
Both Coen and O'Connell have ties to Sean McVay's coaching philosophy, having previously worked with him during their time with the Los Angeles Rams. The Jaguars also considered other candidates like Washington quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard and Rams offensive assistant Nathan Scheelhaase for the offensive coordinator position.
Overall, the Jaguars are setting the stage for a new era with their young and dynamic coaching staff, aiming to bring fresh perspectives and strategies to the team.
For more NFL news, visit AP NFL.
