Jaguars hire Ron Middleton as tight ends coach

On Tuesday, the Jaguars filled one of the few remaining spots on their 2013 coaching staff when Ron Middleton resigned from his position as the tight ends and special teams coach at Duke University to join the Jaguars as a tight ends coach, according to Steve Wiseman of The Herald-Sun.

Middleton, 47, was a tight end in the NFL for 10 seasons with the Falcons, Redskins, Browns, Rams and Chargers before he retired from the league after the 1995 season. After his playing career he entered the coaching ranks and spent time with Troy and Ole Miss before joining Jon Gruden's staff in Tampa Bay as an assistant coach for the Buccaneers.

He then spent one season with Alabama before joining the Blue Devils in January 2008. Gus Bradley served as the linebackers coach for the Buccaneers in 2006, Middleton's final season with the team.

Middleton released a statement regarding his departure from Duke, via Wiseman:

"I will forever be grateful to Coach Cutcliffe for giving me the opportunity to work at Duke University," Middleton said. "I'm proud of what we accomplished as a staff over the last five years both on and off the field, and I know the young men in the program will continue to prosper in everything they do."

"The decision to leave Duke was extremely difficult because of the quality young men in the football program and the leadership of the institution, and I feel very fortunate to have been a part of something much bigger than myself."

Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union has kept a running log of the 2013 coaching staff with all the hires thus far, and among the vacancies yet to be filled is the running backs coach position.