The Jaguars have wrapped up their 2024 season, finishing with a 4-13 record. Which had fans seriously question the direction of the team. After some early promise, things fell apart, and the Jags struggled to find any real consistency. And we have seen it all. The organization clearly seen enough defeats, and in a pretty unsurprising move by the management. Doug Pederson got the axe after just three seasons as head coach. Pederson had one year remaining on his contract, but Jaguars owner Shad Khan had seen enough. The unsurprising bit is that he has retained general manager Trent Baalke.

Of course, Pederson’s time in Jacksonville didn’t go as he had hoped. A 22-29 record seems bad enough. Consider this: 18 losses in the last 23 games. It also didn’t help Pederson that Khan started the 2024 season claiming the Jaguars had the best roster. At the time, it seemed wishful thinking. However, on his part, Shad Khan felt he did what he could to make the team succeed. Long-term contracts for QB Trevor Lawrence, CB Tyson Campbell and pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen. Results? Nothing to show for. A tough showing for a head coach who won the Super Bowl during his time in Philadelphia. Now, the Jags are looking ahead, and two college football coaches are on the radar to take over the reins.

Steve Sarkisian, HC of the Texas Longhorns, could be making the jump to the NFL. Sarkisian turned Texas around, leading them to a 13-2 record and a Big 12 Championship in 2023. This year was even better. First year being a part of the SEC, the Longhorns made it to the Conference Championship game (where they lost to Georgia Bulldogs). As we write, Coach Sark is preparing his troops to take on Ohio State in the semifinal of the college football playoffs.

There’s more to like about him. His offense is high-powered, ranking in the top 25 for total yards, and he built a strong, competitive team in Austin. He could probably bring that same energy to the Jags. While this is one CFB coach, the next one is also on par with him.

Dan Lanning, the HC of Oregon Ducks, is also being talked about. Lanning has worked wonders with the Ducks, leading them to a 13-1 record in 2024, a Big Ten Championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff. We are not saying, these kinds of feats are needed to come to the NFL, but seeing these, can he change the Jags’ record as well?

Oregon’s defense is one of the best in the country, ranking 9th for the fewest points allowed per game. Lanning could bring stability and toughness to Jacksonville, which needs to get back on track.

Both Sarkisian and Lanning have done big things at the college level, and if either of them lands in Jacksonville, they could bring a fresh, new vibe to the Jaguars and turn things around. While Doug Pederson said goodbye to the Jags, let’s take a look at his career and journey so far.

Doug Pederson’s career as a coach

Doug Pederson’s career has been pretty wild, to be honest from playing in the NFL to coaching at the highest level. He spent 12 years as a backup quarterback for teams like the Packers, Eagles, Dolphins, and the Browns. He was actually part of the Packers’ Super Bowl XXXI-winning team in 1997, though he did not play in the game. After wrapping up his playing days in 2004, he shifted his focus to coaching, using all the knowledge he picked up as a player.

Once he retired as a player, Pederson didn’t waste any time getting into coaching. He started off as an offensive quality control coach with the Eagles in 2009. And worked his way up the ranks. His big break came in 2016 when he became the head coach of the Eagles. It didn’t take long for him to make a huge impact. In just his second season, he led the Eagles to their first-ever Super Bowl win in 2017. Who did they beat? The two GOATs in Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Pederson managed that with a backup quarterback in Nick Foles. Forever cementing his name in the NFL.

Even though he made some money and spent his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, it did not go as planned. Coaching a Super Bowl-winning team is something most coaches can only dream of. Pederson’s got that experience under his belt, and that will always be a massive highlight of his career, no matter what is next for him.