The Jacksonville Jaguars intend to begin conducting their head coaching search next week, according to sources, with former NFL head coaches Doug Pederson and Jim Caldwell among the men they seek to speak with.
Both Pederson and Caldwell have accomplished head coaching resumes and are both very interested in returning to the NFL this season. Both are heralded for their work with quarterbacks, of particular interest to Jacksonville with first-overall pick Trevor Lawrence struggling as a rookie, and they are able to be interviewed at any time, as they are currently coaching in the NFL.
They also both have a demeanor and personality vastly different from recently fired Urban Meyer, who could not make it through his first season as an NFL head coach amid constant turmoil and tumult. Their vast experience around the NFL, and Pederson's experience as a former NFL quarterback himself, are also of interest to the Jaguars, sources said.
The Jaguars could also begin to interview current NFL assistants virtually next week, with permission from their teams, as part of new hiring rules in place. Sources said that Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is among the current assistants the team is vetting and he too could very well end up being part of the process. Current general manager Trent Baalke is assisting the team with the early stages of this process, but it's not seen as very likely he remains in place in his current role should the Jaguars hire outside of their organization.
