Jacksonville Jaguars News: Pro Sports Daily

February 4

Jacksonville Times-Union

"The Jaguars found out Friday they will be playing at least one prime-time game next season despite their 5-11 record. Commissioner Roger Goodell announced that the NFL Network will carry a Thursday night game from Week 2 through Week 15 and every team will make at least one appearance. Last year, the league broadcast eight games on the NFL Network and the Jaguars played in one of them, losing at Atlanta. They also played in two Monday night games on ESPN. "We think it's great for the fans,'' Goodell said. "We think it's great for the teams because every team will get that prime-time exposure and we think it's great for the network.'' The teams may not be thrilled about the idea because"

Youngest son of Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey charged with cocaine possession

February 4

Jacksonville Times-Union

"The youngest son of the Jaguars' new head coach was arrested on charges of cocaine possession and trespassing on Friday, according to police in Chapel Hill, N.C. Shane Mularkey, 21-year-old son of coach Mike Mularkey, was among three University of North Carolina students arrested on the charges. The new coach offered a brief statement on his son's arrest via e-mail. "I am grateful for the support that I've received from the Jaguars family and apologize for any distraction," the coach said. "We are attempting to learn more about the situation, and I appreciate everyone's understanding that this is a private family matter, and therefore we cannot add anything further at this time." Mike"

NFL expands Thursday schedule

February 4

New York Post

"Are you ready for a lot more prime-time football? NFL commissioner Roger Goodell used his annual Super Bowl news conference yesterday to reveal the league is dramatically expanding the Thursday night package on its own network starting this fall. In what appeared to be a way to up the pressure in its long-running dispute with Time Warner Cable and Cablevision over New York-area carriage of the NFL Network, the league said that channel will now show Thursday games from Week 2 through Week 15. The NFL Network previously broadcast Thursday games the final eight weeks of the season, but Goodell said the expansion resulted from a desire to guarantee every team in the league at least one"

Goodell: If NFL expands, it'll add two more teams

February 3

CBSSports.com

"It's no secret the NFL wants to expand to Los Angeles. And while so much of the attention has been focused on which franchise would relocate to L.A. -- whether it's the Chargers, Vikings, Jaguars or Rams -- we haven't discussed much the possibility of the NFL expanding. Apparently, that's an option. Commissioner Roger Goodell said Thursday on Costas Live on the NBC Sports Network that if the league places a team in L.A., the NFL probably would add two more franchises to make it an even 34. Goodell said the league "doesn't want to move any of our teams" and "we probably don't want to go to 33" if the NFL decides expansion is a good choice."

Maurice Jones-Drew loses out on league rushing award

February 2

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew won the league's rushing title, but he lost the FedEx Ground Player of the Year to LeSean McCoy of the Philadelphia Eagles on Wednesday. Since it was a fan vote, Jones-Drew might have been at a disadvantage playing for a small market team, but said he wasn't disappointed and McCoy deserved it for his 17-touchdown season. Ray Rice of the Ravens was the other player on the ballot. "Seventeen touchdowns is amazing,'' Jones-Drew said. "He did a great job.''"

Jaguars owner Shahid Khan's yacht anchors downtown, making a big splash

January 30

Jacksonville Times-Union

"New Jaguars owner Shahid Khan made another big splash in Jacksonville Friday when his yacht — a sleek 223-foot beauty — docked in front of the downtown Hyatt Regency. Gawkers took photos as crew members scrubbed the already gleaming sides of the Kismet, whose superstructure towered over the Northbank Riverwalk. The yacht's so impressive, if it sticks around long enough it might even become as famous as its owner's mustache."

Patrick Mularkey moving from scouting to strength with Jaguars

January 28

Jacksonville Times-Union

"The Jaguars named Patrick Mularkey, son of head coach Mike Mularkey, an assistant strength and conditioning coach on Friday. Patrick Mularkey was a scouting assistant for the Jaguars for the past two seasons. Mularkey was a strength and conditioning intern with the Atlanta Falcons during the 2008 training camp. He also assisted the equipment manager and staff of the Pittsburgh Steelers and interned with the Buffalo Bills' player personnel department."

Former Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio hired as Denver's defensive coordinator

January 28

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Jack Del Rio's jobs before and after his eight-and-a-half years as the Jaguars head coach offered symmetry to his career. Del Rio is joining John Fox's staff in Denver as the Broncos' defensive coordinator. "We are thrilled to be able to add such a well-respected defensive coach to our staff," Fox said. "He was an integral part of our turnaround on defense during my first year with the Panthers in 2002. His defenses with the Jaguars have ranked among the NFL's best, and we are excited he's a Bronco." Before the Jaguars hired him, Del Rio was Carolina's defensive coordinator for the 2002 season while Fox was the head coach. The Panthers went 7-9 that season, but their defense ranked second"

Broncos hire Jack Del Rio as defensive coordinator

January 28

Denver Post

"John Fox dug into his coaching past to find a new defensive coordinator. The Broncos on Friday hired Jack Del Rio to replace Dennis Allen as the team's defensive coordinator, reuniting Fox with his first defensive coordinator from Carolina. Denver also hired strength and conditioning coach Luke Richesson, who spent the last three seasons on Del Rio's staff in Jacksonville. Richesson replaces Rich Tuten, whose contract was not renewed after 17 seasons with the Broncos. Del Rio, a former NFL linebacker, joined Fox's first staff in Carolina in 2002. After one year in that role, in which the Panthers' defense improved from the No. 31-ranked defense in 2001 to No. 2 in the NFL, Del Rio was"

Jaguars LB Paul Posluszny has shoulder surgery

January 27

Jacksonville Times-Union

"If there is any good time to suffer an injury that needs surgery, Jaguars linebacker Paul Posluszny found it. Posluszny underwent surgery to repair a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder on Jan. 11. The injury will likely keep him out until training camp, according to a source, but Posluszny has not yet met with doctors about a timetable or his recovery. He anticipates being 100 percent healthy in plenty of time for the 2012 season to begin. "I haven't talked to coach Mularkey or [general manager] Gene Smith about where they want me to be and when," Posluszny said in a telephone interview. "This is not a major deal at all. … From what the doctors told me, this is something they deal"

Jaguars coaches study Senior Bowl receivers for a good catch

January 26

Jacksonville Times-Union

"It helped Brian Quick's confidence that even after he struggled in the first few days of Senior Bowl practices, missing some balls and dropping a few passes, teams continued to want to talk to him. The receiver out of Appalachian State began improving as the week progressed, growing more comfortable in his surroundings. "It's pretty tough but I can face the challenge," Quick said. "And I want to be great and do things the right way and learn the techniques. It's been pretty tough coming in from a simple offense to a broad offense.""

Jaguars GM Gene Smith playing catch-up in player evaluations

January 25

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Having had to hire a head coach and then the rest of the coaching staff this month, Jaguars general manager Gene Smith found himself starting the player evaluation process much later than he did in the past few years. If all goes well for him, it could be a precursor to the next few years. "It's basically like we're in the playoffs," Smith said of his schedule for beginning player evaluations this season. "It's put us behind a little bit. From my standpoint, maybe it's preparing us for something in the future that you can't always do it like we've done the last couple years, where you get a jump start on everybody else. So it's preparing us for better things.""

Jaguars hire strength and conditioning staff, offensive assistant

January 25

Jacksonville Times-Union

"While many coaches looked for jobs at the Senior Bowl this week, Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey added to his staff from Jacksonville. Mularkey added Tom Myslinski, who played for the Jaguars in their inaugural season, as the team's strength and conditioning coach, replacing Luke Richesson. Josh Hingst will be assistant strength and conditioning coach."

Jaguars' evaluation goes in motion in Mobile

January 24

Jacksonville Times-Union

"As Jaguars receivers coach Jerry Sullivan met with the Jacksonville media for the first time, a commotion rose a few yards away from him and got closer and closer. This commotion followed Alabama head coach Nick Saban as cameras pursued him and children called out his name from the stands. As NFL hopefuls practiced behind Sullivan, and NFL scouts and coaches watched from the sidelines, Saban stopped to shake his hand and say hello, then the ruckus moved with him."

Shahid Khan, Jaguars must be ready for bidding war

January 22

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Jaguars owner Shahid Khan made it clear he wants to be held accountable and that the team will spend up to the salary cap. That's good because when NFL free agency opens up on March 13, the Jaguars should throw big money at several positions craving an upgrade. Khan and coach Mike Mularkey can talk ad nauseum about renewed enthusiasm. That's nice to hear at a fan rally, but it doesn't mean much without the Jaguars addressing their shortage of playmakers. Aside from retaining a couple of their own key unrestricted free agents, how the team spends in the open market will be a major test of Khan applying action to his words. If history is any indication, the Jaguars will have to overpay for"

Jaguars might bring in veteran backup quarterback

January 21

Jacksonville Times-Union

"New offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski suggested Friday the Jaguars might bring in an experienced quarterback as a backup to help mentor Blaine Gabbert, who struggled in his rookie season. "It's always great to have a veteran quarterback around him, and I'm not sure where we're at with that at this point," Bratkowski said. "But to have those other set of eyes that would help him in his development could be important. I'm sure we'll look at that as we move forward." Bratkowski compared it to when he was in Cincinnati in 2003 and had veteran Jon Kitna mentoring Carson Palmer. "He played Carson's first year," Bratkowski said. "Carson got to sit and watch and then the next year he became"

Jaguars forming a 'formidable' coaching staff

January 21

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Two names that drew notice during the Jaguars' assistant coach interview process didn't make the team's coaching roster, but on Friday, the roster became closer to full. Four assistant coaches signed contracts with the Jaguars: Jerry Sullivan (receivers), John Bonemego (special teams coordinator), Sylvester Croom (running backs) and Bobby Johnson (tight ends). The Jaguars have 14 coaches under contract and still need to hire an offensive line coach and strength and conditioning coach. Andy Heck (offensive line) and Luke Richesson (strength and conditioning) held the positions last season. Also on staff are offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, defensive coordinator and assistant head coach"

Jaguars hire Greg Olson to work with QB Blaine Gabbert

January 20

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Quarterback Blaine Gabbert's development will be critical to the future of the Jaguars organization. On Thursday, head coach Mike Mularkey hired the man who will work most closely with the young quarterback. Mularkey hired Greg Olson as quarterbacks coach and assistant head coach. Olson was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator from 2009 to 2011. He started in Tampa as the team's quarterbacks coach in 2008 and was offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams before that."

Ron Zook says he has not been offered Jaguars special teams coordinator job

January 20

Jacksonville Times-Union

"For most of today, I avoided this rumor because it was barely even that and certainly not a full-fledged report from any media organization. But then Illinois' assistant athletic director/media relations Kent Brown tweeted that former Illinois and Florida Gators coach Ron Zook was in as the Jaguars special teams coordinator. Zook's reply? "Just chatter," he said when I called and told him there was chatter that he had become the Jaguars special teams coordinator."

Which of their free agents should the Jaguars sign?

January 19

Jacksonville Times-Union

"After new Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey finalizes his coaching staff, he will review the roster with general manager Gene Smith and decide which free agents the team will attempt to keep. The Jaguars have 11 players who become unrestricted free agents on March 13 if the Jaguars don't re-sign them, including four defensive starters: ends Jeremy Mincey and Matt Roth, cornerback Rashean Mathis and safety Dwight Lowery, along with kicker Josh Scobee and punter Nick Harris. They also have five restricted free agents: defensive lineman Leger Douzable. safety Courtney Greene, cornerback William Middleton, linebacker Russell Allen and offensive tackle William Robinson, but can match their offers if"

Ron Zook interviews to be Jaguars' special teams coordinator

January 19

Jacksonville Times-Union

"The Jaguars interviewed former Florida Gators head coach Ron Zook for their special teams coordinator position on Wednesday morning. Zook coached at Illinois from 2005 to 2011 after being the head coach at Florida from 2002 to 2004. He hasn't coached in the NFL since 1999, when he was the defensive backs coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Zook worked on the same Pittsburgh Steelers staff as Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey from 1996 to 1998. He was the special teams coordinator for the Steelers."

Jaguars to interview Ron Zook for assistant position

January 18

Jacksonville Times-Union

"As the Jaguars fill out their coaching staff, faces familiar to the state of Florida are surfacing. The Jaguars will interview former Gators and Illinois coach Ron Zook for an assistant coaching position Wednesday. Jacksonville also reached an agreement with former Jaguars player Marlon McCree to be their assistant defensive backs coach and will retain another former player in Paul Spicer as assistant defensive line coach."

Shahid Khan, Mike Mularkey are 'all in' at Jaguars' fan rally

January 18

Jacksonville Times-Union

"New Jaguars owner Shahid Khan promised a bright future to an enthusiastic crowd of 6,789 fans during a pep rally at EverBank Field on Tuesday night that was billed as the start of the rebirth of the Jaguars. "We're going to have a lot of fun together and we're going to win together," Khan told the fans in the South end zone. He said with every fiber in his body, he is committed to put a winning team on the field and bringing a Super Bowl to Jacksonville and said the fans should hold him accountable. "There's no doubt Jacksonville has the best fans in the NFL," Khan said."

Keenan McCardell interviews to be Jaguars' receivers coach

January 17

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey would like to have his whole staff of assistant coaches put together before the Senior Bowl on Jan. 28. He made progress toward that goal over the long weekend. The Jaguars interviewed Keenan McCardell, the franchise's second-leading receiver, on Monday morning for the position of receivers coach. "It went good," McCardell said by phone. "It went pretty good, I must say. We're still talking. You just never know, Jacksonville would be a great place. … At the end of the day I have to teach guys how to be successful just as I was successful.""

Jaguars fans will hear from new team owner, coach at Ready to Rise Rally

January 17

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Jacksonville's EverBank Field will be the place for new faces tonight. Beginning at 6 p.m., the Jacksonville Jaguars' new owner, Shahid Khan, and new head coach Mike Mularkey will greet the team's fans at a free "Ready to Rise" rally in the stadium's south end zone and Bud Light Party Zone. Mularkey was hired last Tuesday, six days after Khan officially became its second owner."

Goodell: NFL to consider some full-time officials

January 16

Chicago Tribune

"Aiming to ensure NFL rules are enforced the same way from game to game, the league will consider making about 10 officials full-time employees next season. As of now, all game officials are part-time employees. Responding to a question about consistency in officiating while speaking to a group of about 75 fans before Sunday's playoff game between the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the proposal would bring a group of officials to the league offices in New York to help review game films and evaluate the calls. They then would be spread out among the crews at games."

Sources: Falcons hire Dirk Koetter

January 15

ESPN.com

"The Atlanta Falcons have hired former Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter as their new play-caller, replacing Mike Mularkey, who was named the head coach in Jacksonville, league and team sources told ESPN senior NFL analyst Chris Mortensen. On Wednesday, Koetter had met with Alabama coach Nick Saban about the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator position."

Jaguars' new offensive coordinator and coach together again

January 15

Jacksonville Times-Union

"This isn't the first time Bob Bratkowski has undertaken the task of turning around one of the NFL's worst offenses. In 2001, the Cincinnati Bengals hired him after ranking 29th in yards per game. Like the Jaguars of 2011, the 2000 Bengals were worst in the league in passing yards per game. "It starts by getting your players to buy into what you're going to do," Bratkowski said. "And then there are certain things and beliefs that I have about physical play, learning what it means to finish a play and then it goes with the philosophy." Bratkowski drove from the Florida Panhandle, where he spends time in the offseason, to Jacksonville on Friday to sign on as the Jaguars offensive coordinator."

Mel Tucker's disappointment after Jaguars' head coach decision doesn't linger

January 14

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Disappointment was a potential outcome for Mel Tucker when he interviewed to be the Jaguars head coach. Once it came, Tucker gave himself a moment, then quickly looked to the future. "I had to weigh some factors and ultimately the picture became very clear to me that this is where I needed to be," Tucker said. "… If I were to say that I was not disappointed, that would be disingenuous. But I have to move on quickly and make decisions on where do we go from here? That's all part of the process, I think. That's not the first time I've been disappointed, won't be the last. It's how do you handle it." Tucker was one of three defensive coaches from last season's staff, from a defense which"

Jaguars retain defensive line coach Joe Cullen

January 13

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Jaguars defensive line coach Joe Cullen will return to Jacksonville's staff next season, according to a source. The Jaguars hired Cullen before the 2010 season and tasked him with fixing a unit that had 14 sacks in 2009. Cullen's return is the second defensive coach known to be returning to Jacksonville from last season's staff. New Jaguars head coach Mike Mularkey also retained defensive coordinator Mel Tucker."

Big name isn't everything, Jaguars fans

January 13

Jacksonville Times-Union

"It won't take me long to summarize what I saw online about the Jaguars' hiring of new coach Mike Mularkey. Why didn't the Jaguars chase down Jeff Fisher, who seemed to win more at EverBank Field than Jack Del Rio? Why isn't Tony Dungy the next coach in Jacksonville? Why'd the Jaguars dip into the coaching recycling bin when there were bigger names out there? Fans wanted a name-brand coach to come in and clean up the mess than Del Rio and general manager Gene Smith have created. I know there's a tendency to think that a team whiffed on a coaching hire by not getting the biggest name out there, but that's simply not the case."

Mel Tucker to stay as Jaguars defensive coordinator

January 13

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey took his first steps toward forming his staff on Thursday. Mel Tucker decided to return as the Jaguars defensive coordinator, a position he has held since 2009. Mularkey also decided to hire Falcons quarterbacks coach Bob Bratkowski as the Jaguars offensive coordinator. Bratkowski and Mularkey are good friends and the pair worked together in Atlanta last year. Bratkowski was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati for 10 years before going to Atlanta for the 2011 season. Bratkowski was fired after 2010 and Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, whom Bratkowski is credited with developing, demanded a trade shortly thereafter."

Mike Mularkey makes Jaguars act fast

January 12

Jacksonville Times-Union

"There was a moment during the seven-hour interview in Atlanta that Jaguars owner Shahid Khan and general manager Gene Smith stepped out of the room. Smith and Khan were gone for a while, leaving Mularkey by himself. "It's either really good, or it's really bad," Mularkey quipped Wednesday afternoon. In truth, he felt a positive vibe. "I was hoping," Mularkey said. "I felt like I did a good job.""

Former boss says Mularkey good choice; media less positive

January 12

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Tom Donahoe, who was general manager of the Buffalo Bills in 2004 when he gave Mike Mularkey his first head coaching job, endorsed the Jaguars' decision to give him a second chance on Wednesday. "He's an outstanding candidate to be a head coach," Donahoe said "He's a tough guy who understands the game and what it takes in terms of practice, and offensively he's very creative. He does a good job of utilizing personnel.""

Mularkey sees previous stops as learning opportunities

January 12

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Mike Mularkey was in the mix for the Jaguars' coaching job in 2003 before Jack Del Rio was hired. He said Jaguars fans can count on one thing: He's picked up more knowledge and experience at his three NFL stops since then, as the head coach for the Buffalo Bills in 2004 and 2005, then as an assistant with Miami and Atlanta before accepting the Jaguars job Wednesday." "I've learned a lot with every job I've had, and I've had them all," Mularkey said. "I've learned at every stop, whether it was from the head coach, coaches around me or the players. I've tried to take that to help me for the next stop, the next year, the next whatever it was.""

Mularkey's first task is to mentor Jaguars QB Blaine Gabbert

January 12

Jacksonville Times-Union

"One of the first things new Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey did Wednesday when he arrived in Jacksonville was have a one-on-one talk with young quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Mularkey's ability to mentor Gabbert will be a key in his bid to turn the Jaguars around. Gabbert has the lowest passer rating in the NFL this season (65.5) and the Jaguars had the worst offense in the league despite having the league's leading rusher in Maurice Jones-Drew. Gabbert said the two talked about "everything.''"

First Gabbert, now another dice roll for Jaguars

January 11

Jacksonville Times-Union

columnist Gene Frenette

"Almost nine months ago, the Jaguars went against conventional thinking by trading up in the first round of the draft to select quarterback Blaine Gabbert. Now general manager Gene Smith, with the approval of new owner Shahid Khan, is rolling the dice again by hiring Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey as the Jaguars' head coach entrusted with developing Gabbert into a legitimate franchise quarterback. It's still a gamble because Mularkey, despite his University of Florida roots and a high work ethic trait that Smith craves in both coaches and players, has a resume that is unquestionably a mixed bag."

Jaguars hire Mike Mularkey as head coach

January 11

Jacksonville Times-Union

"t happened swiftly, just as Jaguars owner Shahid Khan said it would. Mike Mularkey will be the fourth head coach in Jacksonville Jaguars history, sources told the Times-Union on Tuesday night. The decision came 40 days after the Jaguars fired Jack Del Rio, who was in his ninth year with the franchise, after a 3-8 start this season."

Vikes request to interview Tucker for defensive coordinator role

January 10

NFL.com

"The Minnesota Vikings are interested in interviewing Mel Tucker for their defensive coordinator position, according to league sources. Tucker served as Jacksonville's defensive coordinator and then interim head coach this season following Jack Del Rio's dismissal, but his contractual ties to the Jaguars are up Tuesday and he is free to talk to other teams."

Vikings request interview with Jaguars' Mel Tucker

January 10

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"The Minnesota Vikings have requested an interview with Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator/interim coach Mel Tucker, according to a person with direct knowledge of the situation. Tucker is likely a candidate to replace Fred Pagac as defensive coordinator. The Vikings would like to keep Pagac in some capacity, possibly as linebackers coach, but it's unclear whether Pagac is interested. Last week, the Vikings interviewed former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris, and former St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo could be in play because of his relationship with coach Leslie Frazier. The two were assistants together in Philadelphia under Andy Reid."

Shahid Khan starts Jaguars' front-office shakeup

January 10

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Determined to bring a new energy and direction to the franchise, Jaguars owner Shahid Khan dismissed Paul Vance, the team's general counsel and senior vice president of football operations, on Thursday. Vance had been with the organization since its inception, having worked closely with former Jaguars owner Wayne Weaver. "I had said to Shad all through the transaction that it was going to be his team," Vance said in a phone conversation. "I think when someone buys something like a team and stuff like that it's his decision what he wants to do. …. I was there 21 years ago in the expansion battle, and went all the way through the other end of it being the sale and stuff like that. At some"

Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey to interview with Jaguars Tuesday

January 10

Jacksonville Times-Union

"The Jaguars will interview Falcons offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey on Tuesday. The Falcons lost to the New York Giants on Sunday, 24-2, in a Wild Card playoff game. Mularkey will also interview for the Dolphins' vacant job. Now that the Falcons season is over, Mularkey can interview at any time, but the Falcons have a say over when."

Jaguars assistants are disputing the end dates of their contracts

January 10

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Seven Jaguars assistant coaches are disputing that their contracts expire at the end of this month, sources confirmed. The coaches signed what they were told were two-year extensions before the 2010 season, which were thought to run through the end of the 2011 season. However, those coaches' contracts say their employment goes through January 31, 2012, or the day after the last game of the 2012 season including the playoffs, whichever is later."

Jags fire senior VP Paul Vance

January 9

ESPN.com

"A dispute over contract language that affects seven fired Jacksonville Jaguars assistant coaches for more than $3 million in salary may have been one of the factors that led to the dismissal of Paul Vance, the team's senior vice president of football operations and general counsel, according to league sources. A source said the dispute is over an amount of money between $3.5 million and $4 million. The seven assistants had signed extensions in 2010 and the club believed it was for two years that would expire at the end of the 2011 season. However, the applicable clause in dispute states, "shall terminate on the later of January 31, 2012 or the day after the Jaguars' last football game of"

Jaguars interested in Broncos' McCoy, but playoff schedule an issue

January 9

Pro Football Talk

"Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy called a great game against the Steelers' defense on Sunday. And that may have hurt his chances of becoming a head coach. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that McCoy was going to interview in Jacksonville today for the Jaguars' head coaching job if the Broncos had lost to the Steelers, but because the Broncos won, McCoy won't be able to do that, as he'll be predisposed preparing a game plan for the Patriots."

Jaguars don't need to play name game in search for coach

January 8

Jacksonville Times-Union

columnist Gene Frenette

"When you scan the list of candidates the Jaguars have been known to contact about their head coaching vacancy, nobody leaps off the page from a resume standpoint. There's a heavy dose of NFL offensive coordinators (Mike Mularkey, Brian Schottenheimer, Mike McCoy and Rob Chudzinski), Jaguars interim coach/defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and perhaps some unknown, higher-profile candidates that general manager Gene Smith and owner Shahid Khan have managed to keep secret. If you throw in Cincinnati Bengals OC Jay Gruden and Dallas Cowboys special-teams coordinator Joe DeCamillis as possibilities, there's still not much from an accomplishment standpoint to distinguish one from the others."

Byner's bad fortune: Coaching an NFL rushing champion offers no job security

January 8

Jacksonville Times-Union

"Earnest Byner has kept busy updating his resume. As Maurice Jones-Drew's accolades accumulate, the former Jaguars running backs coach adds them one by one. Most recently, Jones-Drew was named to the Associated Press All-Pro team, and Byner doesn't think Jones-Drew is finished yet. Coaches are judged by the players they coach, but now, Byner finds himself in a peculiar situation. The season after coaching the league's top rusher, Byner is looking for work. Even more bizarre: This is the second time in three years he's been out of work after coaching the NFL's leading rusher. "Do I think about it? Yes," Byner said. "Does it bother me? No, not necessarily bother me. It's always a question,"

Panthers' Chudzinski interviews for Jacksonville head coaching job

January 7

Charlotte Observer

"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"

Del Rio joins Chiefs' list

January 7

Kansas City Star

"After the Chiefs interviewed Jack Del Rio, the field of known candidates to become their next head coach expanded to three. It also became evident a couple of the presumed favorites when Todd Haley was fired last month aren't on that list. •Former Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher indicated he would soon choose between offers from Miami and St. Louis. •The Chiefs have yet to request permission to speak with St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He could be headed back to New England as an assistant coach. Del Rio's name surfaced earlier in the week as someone the Chiefs might like to speak with. Unlike Green Bay offensive coordinator Joe Philbin, who interviewed earlier in the"