Changes in Jacksonville

Palm Coast Observer
Opinion

I’ll keep things simple: The Jacksonville Jaguars announced Tuesday that coach Jack Del Rio has been fired, owner Wayne Weaver is selling the team, and General Manager Gene Smith’s contract was extended three years.

It’s funny how things work in the sports world. It was late Monday night, and I was writing this column, complaining to you about how the Jaguars should have fired Del Rio a few weeks ago.

And then I wake up Tuesday morning to go to a meeting, and poof, it happened. Just like that.

Del Rio, in his nine seasons as head coach, posted a 68-71 record and a 1-2 playoff record.

In January, before the season began, Owner Wayne Weaver made it clear that if the Jaguars didn’t make the postseason, the team would be looking for a new coach.

Sure, circumstances changed. David Garrard was let go just days before the regular season began. But there have been coaching miscues throughout this season, particularly some of the clock-management decisions in recent weeks.

Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker will take over the team on an interim basis for the remainder of the season and will likely have the opportunity to interview for the full-time position this offseason.

It’ll be interesting to see who the Jags make their next head coach. Jacksonville is a small market. They barely ever get love. But they have a lot of tools to open that window of opportunity in the coming years to make a playoff run. And the Jaguars do have a head start in the search for a new coach.

In my opinion, the Jaguars should go after a promising assistant coach on another team; they likely won’t be able to lure a seasoned former head coach to Jacksonville.

Also announced Tuesday was the Jaguars are being sold to businessman Shahid Kahn, who plans keep the team in Jacksonville.

Pick ‘em: Week 12
Last week’s Pick ’em contest got messed up because of the holiday, but we’re back this week.

I’ll post this week’s games to the website Thursday morning. Be sure to post your picks as a comment on my blog before the Thursday night game.

Winner gets a $10 gift card to Woody’s Bar-B-Q.