Jacksonville Jaguars expected to add Brian Schneider as special teams coordinator, per report

Coaching staff news continues to pour in for the new-look Jacksonville Jaguars, led by head coach Urban Meyer. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Meyer is adding Brian Schneider to Jacksonville’s staff as special teams coordinator.

Schneider most recently served as special teams coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks under head coach Pete Carroll. Schneider held that role with Seattle since 2010, but took a leave of absence from the team last September for “personal reasons.” He returned to the Seahawks in November, but interim special teams coordinator Larry Izzo remained in the role of leading the special teams. The Seahawks ranked third in special teams DVOA in 2020, but just 20th in 2019.

The Seahawks’ official site had this to say about Schneider on his coach biography page (these numbers likely do not reflect the 2020 season):

Since 2010, his special teams units rank first in the NFL in takeaways (24), second in blocked kicks (23), and fifth in touchdowns/safeties scored (14).

His teams have scored at least once in seven of the last ten seasons.

Prior to his time in Seattle, Schneider spent one season in the college ranks with Carroll at USC in 2009. When Carroll took the NFL job with the Seahawks, he brought Schneider along with him.

Before his short stint at USC, Schneider worked as special teams coordinator for the (then) Oakland Raiders in 2007 and 2008. That was his first NFL role. In both seasons, Raiders punter Shane Lechler led the NFL in punting and was named to the Pro Bowl roster for the AFC.

Schneider coached in the NCAA for several years before joining the Raiders. He began his career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Colorado State, for three seasons (1994 through 1996). CSU then promoted Schneider to a full time assistant role in 1997, and he stayed at the school through the 2002 season.

In 2003, he joined UCLA’s staff, working with linebackers, safeties and special teams — including helping former Jaguars great Maurice Jones-Drew lead the nation in punt return yards per return in 2005 (28.5). In 2006, he coached special teams and tight ends at Iowa State.

Schneider played linebacker for Colorado State from 1990 through 1993. He started for three years and earned All-Conference first-team honors as a senior in 1993.

If all reports are true, Meyer and the Jaguars have all three coordinators in place: Schneider (special teams), Darrell Bevell (offensive coordinator), and Joe Cullen (defensive coordinator).