Under new head coach Liam Coen, the Jacksonville Jaguars search for a new defensive coordinator is well underway.
This is a Jaguars’ defense from last season that ranked 27th in points per game allowed, 15th in yards per rush given up, and 32nd in yards per pass attempt surrendered.
However, despite the struggles, Coen likes a lot of the talent that the Jaguars have on that side of the ball; now it’s about maximizing those players’ abilities.
“(We have) A defense that can go, we just gotta put them in some of the better positions to be successful and I think we can do that,” said Coen during his introductory press conference.
So what is Coen looking for in the Jaguars’ next defensive coordinator?
“I’m gonna be involved, but it’s more the shared vision of the identity, the style of play,” said Coen about the defensive coordinator role. “How do we continue to drive home the message of the style of play that we want to work with and play with that’s within the meetings, like being in the meeting sometimes.
“I’ll be involved,” Coen added, “but I’m not going to be overbearing. I want that guy to have autonomy. I want that guy to have confidence, to be able to go and do it, and feel like his personality and his moral compass is showing on the product.”
Below are the defensive coordinator candidates that the Jaguars have interviewed. Be sure to check back in with Jaguars Wire to stay up to date on the search. Also, follow the links for more on each candidate.
Aubrey Pleasant: The last two seasons, Pleasant has been with the LA Rams. In 2024, he was the assistant head coach and passing game coordinator, and in 2023, Pleasant was the defensive backs coach and the passing game coordinator. Pleasant has not yet been a defensive coordinator in his career.
Patrick Graham: Since 2022, Graham has been the Las Vegas Raiders’ defensive coordinator. In two of those three seasons, the Raiders’ defense ranked top 12 in blitz rate under Graham.
Daronte Jones: Jones has been the Minnesota Vikings pass game coordinator the last two seasons. Working alongside of Vikings’ defensive coordinator Brian Flores, Jones operated within a blitz and coverage disguise-heavy scheme.
Anthony Campanile: Campanile was the Packers linebackers coach and run game coordinator. In his first season with the team, the Packers run defense finished third in yards per rush allowed, while rookie linebacker Edgerrin Cooper was named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week twice.
Jonathan Cooley: The current passing game coordinator for the Panthers, Cooley’s time with the LA Rams from 2020-2022 overlapped with Liam Coen when he was with the team. Panthers’ cornerback Jaycee Horn reached his first Pro Bowl in 2024.
(Please note, this article will be updated as new reports come in.)
