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According to a report from ESPN’s Dan Graziano, the Jaguars and head coach Urban Meyer are set to make Baltimore Ravens defensive line coach Joe Cullen its next defensive coordinator, ending the tenure of long-time defensive coordinator Todd Wash in Jacksonville.
Per sources, reporting with @jamisonhensley that Ravens DL coach Joe Cullen will be Urban Meyer's defensive coordinator in Jacksonville.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) January 21, 2021
In speaking with the media in today’s introductory press conference for general manager Trent Baalke, Meyer stated that he was not yet ready to discuss the team’s staff until it is complete, however, numerous reports have already surfaced regarding those that are set to be added, with Cullen being the most recent.
There have also been reports of the Jaguars retaining offensive line coach George Warhop while losing special teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis to the Los Angeles Rams. With everything, the staffing selection is fluid, but Meyer appears to be finalizing his options quickly as he works as the team’s head coach this year.
Cullen, 53, has spent the past five years as the Ravens’ defensive line coach and has spent a total of 15 years in the NFL, getting his first gig as the Detroit Lions’ defensive line coach in 2006. Prior to the NFL, Cullen spent 15 years coaching at the collegiate level. He spent three years, 2010-12, as the Jaguars’ defensive line coach.
This year, the Ravens racked up 39 sacks, good for the 14th highest total in the NFL in 2020. The Ravens ranked 7th in yards allowed last season, 6th in passing yards allowed and 8th in rushing yards allowed.
Meyer needed a position coach on defense that had plenty of experience in the NFL, and he appears to have found his man in Cullen, although nothing is official as of right now.
“I’ve got to get a great staff, not a good staff, a great staff,” Meyer said in his introductory press conference last week.
“And when people are recommended, I’ve had a multitude of people calling and my comment is to save the recommendation unless you feel that person is elite in all areas. Because that’s what Jacksonville deserves and that’s what we’re going to have on our staff. But the players and putting together a team that—they want to win, I know that.”