Cowboys Rumors: Kellen Moore, Dan Quinn Requested by Jaguars for HC Interviews
December 28, 2021
The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking toward Dallas in their search for a new head coach.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Jags have reportedly requested to interview Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn for their vacancy.
The Jaguars are casting a wide net in their search for a new head coach:
Alongside those candidates, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Jacksonville is scheduled to interview former Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson this week, while NFL writer Aaron Wilson added that the team has plans to interview former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Jacksonville interim head coach Darrell Bevell.
The Jaguars have had a rotating cast of head coaches since Jack Del Rio was fired during the 2011 season after a 3-8 start and Mel Tucker was appointed as interim head coach. After stability at the outset of the franchise—Tom Coughlin was the team's head coach for eight seasons (1995-02), while Del Rio was around for parts of nine campaigns (2003-11)—Jacksonville has had anything but stability.
No coach since Del Rio has lasted more than four years:
- Mike Mularkey (2012): 2-14 record
- Gus Bradley (2013-16): 14-48 record
- Doug Marrone (2016-20): 23-43 record, one playoff appearance
- Urban Meyer (2021): 2-11
- Bevell (2021): (0-2)
No tenure was more dysfunctional than Meyer's run in 2021, however. The regime was marked by off-field controversies, including the odd decision to sign Tim Tebow and the questionable choice to hold a quarterback competition in the preseason between top overall pick Trevor Lawrence and Gardner Minshew (who was later traded to the Philadelphia Eagles).
In October, Meyer did not return home with the team following a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and was seen at a bar with a woman who was not his wife dancing against him.
There where also reports of Meyer lambasting his assistant coaches, feuding with wideout Marvin Jones and kicking former kicker Josh Lambo.
So the Jaguars' next head coach will not only need to improve the team from an X's and O's standpoint but also provide a cultural shift after Meyer's time in charge.
Moore, 32, had a cup of coffee in the NFL as a backup quarterback before quickly climbing up the coaching ranks. He's spent the last three seasons as the Cowboys offensive coordinator, with the team's offense currently ranking first in both points and yards.
He's considered one of the bright young offensive minds in the NFL, and it seems to be a foregone conclusion that he'll get a head coaching opportunity at some point in the future.
Quinn, 51, already has that experience, spending six years (2015-20) as the head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, where he went 43-42 and led the team to two playoff appearances and one Super Bowl berth. He also spent two seasons as the Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator (2013-14) and has the Cowboys tied for seventh in points allowed this season.