The jaguars were one of several teams that were forced to make changes to their coaching staff, most notably after they parted ways with defensive coordinator mike caldwell and his staff.
The new staff under caldwell’s replacement, former falcons defensive coordinator ryan nielsen, has been confirmed, as have a few changes to the offensive side of the ball.
We were already aware of defensive backs coach kris richard and inside linebackers coach matt house’s promotions, as well as the retention of assistant defensive line coach rory segrest, outside linebackers coach bill shuey, and defensive quality control coach patrick reilly.
Cory robinson was originally mentioned as the team’s cornerbacks coach, but the team’s update confirms that he will be a defensive assistant and cornerbacks coach.
To round out the new defensive line staff, the team has recruited jeremy garrett as their new defensive line coach, michael gray as an assistant secondary coach and defensive analyst, and mario jeberael as an outside linebackers coach.
Garrett replaces brentson bucker, who was fired alongside caldwell. He has extensive nfl experience with the browns, and most recently at the collegiate level with the browns.
Gray joined the falcons last season as a football analyst, while jeberael took the position of special projects: defense coach last season.
On the offensive side of the field, jacksonville announced the signings of running backs coach jerry mack and offensive quality control coach jamel mutunga, as well as the appointment of former offensive quality control coach greg austin to assistant offensive line coach.
Mack replaces bernie parmalee, who was fired alongside caldwell and assumed the same role with the panthers.
After 20 years of experience coaching at the collegiate level, mack will play his first nfl coaching role. Mack most recently coached a volunteers team at tennessee that finished in the top-12 in rushing yards per game twice in his three years.
Austin takes on the role of todd washington, who was also let go with parmalee and caldwell.
Mutunga takes his first role in quality control after playing as an offensive assistant with the panthers last season. In 2022, he became the first recipient of the tony dungy diversity coaching fellowship in indianapolis.
That’s the stage for duval’s 2024 season. The early part of jacksonville’s offseason will be defined by a few tweaks on offense and a shift in the defensive line.
It will be interesting to see if a fresh defensive staff can help a young jaguars squad take the next step in the new league year.
