The Jacksonville Jaguars will interview Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith for their head coaching vacancy, according to a report by Rick Stroud. Smith obviously has ties to current Jaguars general manager David Caldwell from their time spent in together with the Falcons, where Smith was a very successful head coach.
The Jacksonville @Jaguars will interview #Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith for their head coaching job.
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) January 2, 2017
Smith has been linked with the Jaguars for the past few weeks, so it’s no surprise they plan to interview him for the head coaching position. Smith spent the past season with the Buccaneers, helping improve their defense as the team was good enough to make a late push for the NFL playoffs, ultimately falling short.
Smith’s time in Atlanta as head coach was very successful, amassing a 66-46 record, going 1-4 in the NFL playoffs. Smith’s Falcons made the playoffs in four of his first five seasons, but the wheels seemed to come off after the 2012 season and Smith was fired at the end of the 2014 season, the team’s second losing season in a row.
I would expect Smith to be a popular link with teams looking for a head coach, as he was a success his first go-round. He would be a good hire for the Jaguars, though not the splash hire everyone is hoping for.