"Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski interviewed for the Jacksonville Jaguars' head-coaching vacancy Thursday, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.

Chudzinski, 43, is one of several up-and-coming offensive coordinators the Jaguars have targeted to replace Jack Del Rio, who was fired in November after posting a 69-73 record in nine seasons.

NFL.com reported this week that Cincinnati offensive coordinator Jay Gruden is the leading candidate. Jacksonville has received permission to talk with Atlanta's Mike Mularkey, the New York Jets' Brian Schottenheimer and Denver's Mike McCoy, a former Panthers assistant.

New England's Bill O'Brien, who was one of the candidates for the opening, is set to be named Joe Paterno's successor at Penn State Saturday.

Attempts to reach Chudzinski for comment this week have been unsuccessful.

In his first year in Charlotte, Chudzinski led the Panthers to the most prolific offensive seasons in their 17-year history. With Chudzinski designing an offense to take advantage of rookie quarterback Cam Newton's unique skill set, the Panthers finished with a franchise-record 6,237 yards."