JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …

Michael from Orange Park, FL

Sooooo … we ever gonna hire a coordinator or nah?

New Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen is in the process of hiring a coaching staff, and the Jaguars indeed on Thursday night announced they have hired former Green Bay Packers defensive run-game coordinator and linebackers coach Anthony Campanile for defensive coordinator. This from Coen via a release on Campanile: "He brings an aggressive defensive mindset and a system that is adaptable to our players and allows them to play fast and physical." Campanile appears to be a fit with Coen: He's young (42) and he had success with the Packers, who ranked sixth in the NFL in 2024 in run defense at 103.2 yards per game and third in the NFL in yards per rush attempt at 4.0 yards per game. The Jaguars also have interviewed Los Angeles Rams offensive assistant/passing-game specialist Nate Scheelhause and Washington Commanders quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard for their vacant offensive coordinator position. I expect news on that front soon.

Kevin from Section 214

In the land of hypotheticals, can you imagine if Ben Johnson landed here and hired Press Taylor?

Former Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor indeed was hired by new Chicago Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson as pass-game coordinator this week. This isn't surprising in the least. Taylor's a good coach. I expect he will be an NFL offensive coordinator again soon and very possibly an NFL head coach in the foreseeable future.

Bradley from Sparks, NV

Perhaps the biggest question in the last tackle football game of the season is can the red team contain the FREE AGENT RUNNING BACK for the green team.

It seems maybe, just maybe, you're suggesting that because the Philadelphia Eagles signed running back Saquon Barkley as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason – and because Barkley might be the NFL's best player this season – that free agency is AOK and hunky dory. I have never suggested that teams never participate in free agency. I have suggested that teams that use it too extensively to build the core of their roster usually wind up with a roster of good players and not enough elite ones. It's sort of like drinking. Done in moderation, it's awesome. Done too much, you're wondering why you're waking up under a Buick with the sun coming up on Bourbon Street.

The Other Michael from Middleburg, FL

I really hope Coen doesn't suck. Because if he does, we're going to have to see that "Duvaaaaal" clip So. Many. Times.

Yeah. Probably.

Steve at work at the beach from Jax Bch

Just curious. Is the scouting department retained "until further notice" for all the player "goings on" in the meantime?

NFL scouting and personnel departments typically remain largely intact when there is a general manager change – at least through the ensuing draft and often beyond that. There often is comparatively little turnover except for the top decision-makers, for it is they who influence direction.

Teresa from North Charleston, SC

I've learned so much from your column. I appreciate your detailed but easy-to-understand explanations. That being said, I was wondering if once the coordinators are picked do they choose their assistants or does the head coach do that also? Thanks.

A head coach has final say over the entire coaching staff, though hiring assistants on each side of the ball is typically a collaborative effort with the coordinators often having major influence.

Bruce from St. Simons Island, FL

O, Seems to me that the Jags could have a quick turnaround. The Jags lost several games by less than a touchdown. Whether a turnaround happens I don't know, but it could reasonably happen. I think you would agree?

I think the Jaguars can become competitive very quickly, meaning they can win more games than they lose in 2025 and be in contention for the postseason late in the season. I don't expect they can make the Super Bowl or get to the AFC Champiionship Game in 2025. I do think they can compete for the postseason. You can get from bad to OK quickly in the NFL. Getting from bad or OK to great takes more time and work.

Bill from Jacksonville

I know this is going to be interpreted as ridiculous, but how does this sound? In the upcoming free agency, the Jags sign offensive line, defensive tackle or cornerback first, then draft a big-time receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft to pair with Brian Thomas Jr. All the great passing teams usually have one of two wide receivers. In this scenario Trevor gets his elite weapons, which actually helps the defense as well.

It's a smidge early to know the Jaguars' offseason plans. That will be determined once all decision-makers are in place. But while the Jaguars will have salary-cap space to address some needs in free agency this offseason, I hope they start moving in a direction where they're not nearly as active as your email suggests. Free agency makes me queasy.

Charles from Riverside

Hello, John. Excerpt from Liam Coen's introduction. He told a group of players in attendance – a group that included Lawrence – that he believed in "players over plays." If you want to say "told you so" I certainly wouldn't be offended.

Why would I say this? All Coen did Monday in saying he believes in players over plays is show he understands how the NFL works. It's always coaching in the NFL.

Sean from Oakleaf, FL

Whose job is it to take a "better roster" and win more football games with it?

Everyone's.

Anita from Springfield

Ol' Cap'n Kirk feels like a leader and trusted friend of Trevor. Do you see his contract being restructured, or him playing on the final year of the deal? I'm looking for reasons to believe we won't lose him as a cap casualty.

I would be surprised if wide receiver Christian Kirk plays for the Jaguars in 2025 under his current salary-cap number. That doesn't mean his contract can't be restructured. This is a conversation I expect to be important when the Jaguars decide on general manager and other football leadership to work with Coen. The clock is ticking.

Tim from Jax

Should we consider a pre-introduction session for new coaches on the proper pronunciation of Duuuuval?

Let's hope it's not an issue for a while.

Ben from Cuba, MO

O', Quick question. What are the responsibilities of a coordinator if the head coach calls the plays for their respective side of the ball? Also is it safe to assume the defensive coordinator will play those calls or do you anticipate Coen calling all the plays?

If a head coach calls plays on his side of the ball, a coordinator's job is to work with the head coach and other coaches to install the game plan – and to be in the headset or close to the head coach on gamedays to advise. When a head coach is calling plays, he ideally is focusing on many other areas and therefore needs a quality coordinator on that side of the ball who is so in lockstep with the head coach that the head coach needn't be in every meeting throughout the week. The Jaguars' next defensive coordinator will call defensive plays. Coen will call offensive plays.

Mario from West Kelowna, BC

John. What do you know about this Ethan Waugh assistant general manager guy? Does he come from our previous general manager's circle of trust and school of thought? I would hope that on the general manager side of things we also start super fresh without any remains of the previous regime.

Jaguars assistant general manager Ethan Waugh is a capable football mind capable of managing the personnel side of a football operation. He was trusted by former general manager Trent Baalke and the two certainly shared some common views on football and team-building. That in no way means Waugh can't think independently and work with other decision-makers.

Nick from Palm Coast, FL

Tampa Bay gave up MORE sacks then the Jags last year even with a MORE mobile quarterback…

OK?

Don from Marshall NC

That twinkle in the eyes of Liam Coen instantly reminded me of Tom Coughlin when he was first hired. That same childlike excitement like a kid at Christmas. Go Jaguars!

When it comes to remembering former Jaguars Head Coach Tom Coughlin's eyes slightly different than yours truly, Don remains "all in."

Jordan from Mandarin

The playoffs once again are proving that building the lines of scrimmage is the most important part of team building outside of the quarterback. I know there are talented players at positions like defensive back and wide receiver, but it's all about offensive line and defensive line. Jags need to get big and nasty for the first time in a long time.

The Jaguars indeed have talented players at wide receiver and defensive back, though it's fair to ask if they have enough talented players there.