Jaguars Interviewing Tom Coughlin Next Week For HC Job

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media is reporting that the Jaguars will interview veteran HC Tom Coughlin next week for their head-coaching position or possibly some type of “football czar” position overseeing operations.

• Jay Glazer confirmed Coughlin will interview with the Jaguars and noted that Coughlin isn’t a fan of QB Blake Bortles.

Other candidates to watch for the Jaguars’ head-coaching job, according to Rapoport, include interim HC Doug Marrone, Patriots OC Josh McDaniels and Dolphins DC Vance Joseph.

Coughlin has been a popular name linked to the Jaguars since they officially parted ways with HC Gus Bradley last week.

In fact, Jaguars GM Dave Caldwell confirmed previous reports on Tuesday that they are, in fact, interested in speaking with Coughlin regarding their head-coaching vacancy.

“Tom [Coughlin] would be somebody we’d be interested in talking to,” Caldwell said, per John Oesher.

Caldwell mentioned that ownership expects big things from this coaching search and stressed that NFL head-coaching experience is “critical” for them in their search, per John Oesher.

A few weeks ago, La Canfora reported that a possible reunion between the Jaguars and Coughlin is a something to watch.

Before that, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported over a month ago that Coughlin could be one name worth keeping an eye on for the Jaguars. Schefter mentioned that Coughlin still has a home in Jacksonville, his charity is based there, and he has publicly said he has not retired from coaching.

Of course, the Jaguars would have to be willing to hire a 71-year-old coach but if his age isn’t an issue, Schefter writes that Coughlin would bring “instant credibility” to the franchise and a proven track record of getting production of its teams.

Additionally, Schefter suggests that the Jaguars could hire Coughlin and an eventual successor, whom Coughlin could groom in the coming years.

Coughlin, 70, spent 12 years Giants’ head coach and has led them to a record of 102-90 (53.1 percent) to go along with five playoff appearances and two Super Bowl titles.

After interviewing for a few head-coaching jobs with the 49ers and Eagles, Coughlin agreed to join NFL’s football operations department. Coughlin also spoke to the Bills about a potential job but it apparently wasn’t a good fit.

We’ll have more regarding the Jaguars and Coughlin as the news is available.