Jaguars Coaching Search: There can be only one highlander

by Adam Stites on Nov 30, 2011 1:21 PM EST in Jacksonville Jaguars News

Amidst the madness that was yesterday's Jaguars news, Wayne Weaver discussed that when looking for a new head coach, the team intended to look at candidates with strong résumés.

"We'll have a list of people of people we think can be real successful here. It'll be a list of people that have high profile, that have had great success, that's had one of those rings. There will be others that are young coaches that have had a great deal of success and we think they are ready to break through the ceiling."

Finding a "high profile" coach with a ring may be difficult for the Jaguars though, as a move made by Weaver yesterday could lessen the interest of said coaches.

Yesterday the Jaguars also announced the re-signing of Gene Smith as general manager of the Jaguars with a three year contract that ensures he will continue to build the team in his way, by his philosophies. During his last two and a half seasons as general manager he has essentially been the only one running the ship and all personnel decisions during the offseason and roster moves during the regular season have gone through him.

That could be an issue for a lot of potential head coaches and could limit the pool of candidates that would have an interest in the position. Coaches like Bill Cowher or Tony Dungy are highly unlikely to accept a job that limits their abilities to shape the roster. If those coaches decide to return to coaching it would likely be with the demand that they receive the same treatment that Pete Carroll received from Seattle when he became the head coach and executive VP of football operations, essentially putting him in charge of every move the Seahawks make.

The Jaguars have not ruled themselves out from finding a coach with a Super Bowl championship ring to be their next head coach, but it would have to be a coach that earned that ring as an assistant coach. There can be only one highlander and when Wayne Weaver signed Gene Smith's contract extension he ensured that the highlander quota in Jacksonville was filled.

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Like I said yesterday,

I believe there’s a non-zero chance that the purpose of the Gene Smith extension was for Weaver to reward him for his performance to this point, but that Khan could still decide he wants to pick his own guy and fire Gene. I think the chances are VERY low, but they’re not zero IMO. Just a thought. Flame away.

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by CaliforniaJag on Nov 30, 2011 1:40 PM EST reply actions

THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AoOa-Fz2kw

by The Linebacker on Nov 30, 2011 1:43 PM EST reply actions

There can only be one!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izqeNpod6Mg

by RyanTrapasso on Nov 30, 2011 2:52 PM EST up reply actions

Man...

I absolutely agree with you Adam. Deciding to retain Gene Smith means that whatever coach we get through that door is going to have their hands tied behind their back.

I just really wish we could get a strong young coach that can help us develop more of a name, image, and style of play that works to the strengths of our players. It’s a shame this season turned out the way it did, but man, it can only get better.

by LTronHubbard on Nov 30, 2011 1:46 PM EST reply actions

Hire Jay Gruden before someone else does.

by zoxitic on Nov 30, 2011 1:47 PM EST reply actions

He is from the area. I think he would love to come back to Florida.

Plus we would get more Orlando fans.

by zoxitic on Nov 30, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not against Jay Gruden...

But I don’t get why a lot of people seem to really think he’s great after 1 season in the NFL. Those other jobs are bush league, so I’m not sure how to measure his success there.
Do you think he has a good shot at getting our HC job?

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 30, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

I agree about the 1 season thing. That’s why I like chudzinski or carmichael.

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by floridafalcons#63 on Nov 30, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

I just don't know much about him...

I’m willing to keep an open mind if he seems like he has his stuff together…

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 30, 2011 2:10 PM EST up reply actions

I told a friend of mine that he would be a good coach probably one day. But, I didn’t think he should get the keys to a franchise after one successful year as an OC.

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by floridafalcons#63 on Nov 30, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

As long as he doesn’t bring his brother (John)

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by floridafalcons#63 on Nov 30, 2011 2:03 PM EST up reply actions

I wouldn't mind Jon Gruden as an OC

He’d probably come cheap to coach with his brother and most importantly it would take him off MNF. Hell even if he was expensive, I’m sure there would be a collection of fans who would pay just to have him off ESPN

by Bryqan on Nov 30, 2011 10:12 PM EST up reply actions

Plus one season ticket holder from Orlando and give tucker big money to stay as defensive coordinator

by jagdog on Nov 30, 2011 2:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

What's different?

The Steelers have a GM. Why would GM Gene be an obstacle for Cowher here?

Section 442, RIP
"You think you know, but you don't know."

by unhipcat on Nov 30, 2011 1:47 PM EST reply actions

Cowher was heavily involved.

Follow @AlfieBCC

by Alfie Crow on Nov 30, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

which is very disappointing to me to see gene extended! thought with the money man coming to town, we had a shot at him?

by CoachCowherPlease on Nov 30, 2011 3:38 PM EST up reply actions

do you know Del Rio's involvement?

did he have much, if any, participation in determining whom the Jags drafted, or was he pretty much an observer?

Section 442, RIP
"You think you know, but you don't know."

by unhipcat on Nov 30, 2011 4:09 PM EST up reply actions

After Gene was hired he gave input, but that was about the end of it.

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by Alfie Crow on Nov 30, 2011 11:57 PM EST up reply actions

And he’d want all the power here.

I like to watch.

by MoveThoseChains on Nov 30, 2011 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

People change. Maybe Cowher and Gene would compromise. No one here knows what Cowher would accept. I don’t either, but nothing’s chiseled in stone.

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Nov 30, 2011 2:55 PM EST up reply actions

except his chin

by CoachCowherPlease on Nov 30, 2011 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

touche’

Sean

Pax Armis Acquiritur

by cuffs007 on Nov 30, 2011 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

People are blowing this out of proportion

The coach needs to coach. He can tell the GM he needs a player for a position, maybe even suggest a player, the GM goes out and signs someone that fits the criteria. The coach shouldnt have the final say because he should be focused on game planning. Scouts scout, coaches coach, players play.

by The Linebacker on Nov 30, 2011 1:51 PM EST reply actions

You wear too many hats and...

you’ll lose your focus.

by The Linebacker on Nov 30, 2011 1:52 PM EST up reply actions

And you just wouldn't look good with all those hats on.

by zoxitic on Nov 30, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions

LOL

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 30, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions

That’s fine.

The problem is, coaches want power.

Follow @AlfieBCC

by Alfie Crow on Nov 30, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions

Control over personel

If a coach is going to be held responsible for winning they what control over who plays for them.

Take stock in your lives, but leave your livestock alone

by MadKow on Nov 30, 2011 2:50 PM EST up reply actions

The coach should have a say, but ultimately the personel decisions need to be made by the scouting corp / GM. The coach can ask for a power runner or a speedy wide reciever, but I think it should be determined by the personel side when they get one and who.

by TonyinJax on Nov 30, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions

A Coach

JAG nation took a hit yesterday but I think overall it was for the best . We can go with tucker but we still need a good offensive mind to get the passing game going . We need dwayne bowe and harry douglas plus a good draft

L F J

by Daddycrapper on Nov 30, 2011 2:22 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Yea, b/c the Chiefs have such a fearsome passing game huh? LOL

And ppl are really shaking in their boots about Harry the burner Douglas…seriously?! LOL Dude’s nothing without White getting double covered and Julio Jones WITH a pro bowl TE…lol…barely average now!

Travis D. Holmes

by T.Holmes on Nov 30, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions