Fansided

NFL Rumors: Mike Smith in line to become Jacksonville Jaguars head coach?

By Brad Berreman

Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith on the sideline against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome. The Panthers defeated the Falcons 34-3. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Gus Bradley is surely in his last weeks as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and a replacement may already unofficially be in place.

After being widely tabbed as team in line to make a positive jump, the 2016 season has become a typical one for the Jacksonville Jaguars. An eight-game losing streak, and a 2-11 record heading into Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans, makes the firing of head coach Gus Bradley inevitable at the end of the season. On that note, an option to replace Bradley may already be surfacing.

According to Pro Football Weekly, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith is a top candidate to become the next Jaguars’ head coach. PFW goes a bit further, suggesting Smith may believe the job is his if he wants it and has already started reaching out to candidates to put a staff of assistants together,

Tampa Bay’s turnaround defensively in recent weeks has spurred their winning streak, so it’s not surprising Smith is surfacing as a head coaching candidate as his first season as coordinator winds down. He also has deep ties to the Jaguars.

Before becoming head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, Smith was Jacksonville’s defensive coordinator for five seasons (2003-2007) under Jack Del Rio. Jaguars’ general manager David Caldwell was hired by the Falcons the same year Smith was, serving as director of college scouting and then personnel director through the 2012 season before taking his current job.

Smith had a 66-46 regular season record over seven seasons as Falcons’ head coach, including four double-digit win seasons and two NFC South titles. But a 1-4 postseason record, and a 10-22 record over his final two seasons, made a change inevitable.

The Jaguars could hardy be blamed for turning toward an offensive mind as their next head coach, but they would go back to the defense-titled well with Smith. A clear criticism of Bradley has been an inability to get the most out of what looks like a talented roster in Jacksonville, and that same lament was often levied on Smith when was Atlanta’s head coach.

Next: NFL Week 15: Staff picks and predictions

Caldwell and Jaguars owner Shad Khan apparently want to hire a more proven head coach this time around. Smith technically fits that criteria, but it’s hard to see him being the coach that ends Jacksonville’s long run of ineptitude.

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars