Mike Caldwell (NFL)
In a swift move, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson announced the dismissal of defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and seven other defensive assistants on Monday.
Evaluation and Urgency
Earlier in the day, Pederson had mentioned his ongoing process of evaluating the season’s disappointing conclusion and hinted at taking time before deciding on staff changes. However, the quick action suggests an urgency for a shift in direction.
“It’s not where we want to be, and I’ve got to take all of this into consideration,” Pederson stated. The news of the coaching changes was officially released by Jacksonville on Monday night.
Coaching Staff Dismissals
The list of those relieved of their duties includes defensive line coach Brentson Buckner, passing game coordinator/cornerbacks coach Deshea Townsend, inside linebackers coach Tony Gilbert, safeties coach Cody Grimm, senior defensive assistant Bob Sutton, and defensive quality control coaches Tee Mitchell and Sean Cullina.
Meanwhile, assistant defensive line coach Rory Segrest, outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey, and defensive quality control coach Patrick Reilly will continue their roles with the team.
Caldwell’s Hiring and Performance
Pederson brought in Mike Caldwell as a first-time coordinator in 2022, following Caldwell’s three-season tenure as Tampa’s inside linebackers coach under Todd Bowles. Although the Jaguars demonstrated improvement in certain areas during Caldwell’s first season, the positive trajectory did not carry into 2023. The defensive struggles played a pivotal role in the team’s downfall after an 8-3 start.
In the final stretch, the Jaguars lost five of their last six games, conceding an average of 29.2 points and 146.8 yards per game in those losses. The sole victory was a commanding 26-0 shutout against Carolina, which had the worst record in the NFL.
Defensive Struggles
The 2023 defensive unit closed the season ranking 17th in scoring (21.8 points per game), 22nd in total defense (342.8), ninth in rushing defense (103.1 yards per game), and 26th in passing defense (239.8 yards per game). Despite forcing an impressive 27 turnovers (tied for fourth in the league), the defense faced challenges.
Crucial Game vs. Tennessee
The pivotal game against Tennessee, where a win was crucial for securing the AFC South title for the second consecutive season, revealed defensive vulnerabilities. Derrick Henry ran for 153 yards and a touchdown, contributing to the second-highest rushing total allowed by the Jaguars all season.
This report used information from ESPN.
