Jacksonville Jaguars: The Search For a New OC Begins

There is no timetable set for the Jaguars and their search for an offensive coordinator.

The team announced on Tuesday that Jedd Fisch had been let go by the team and the hope was the franchise would move in a different direction.

Fisch, who was with the team for the past two seasons, was the fourth offensive coordinator the Jaguars employed in the past five years. Former quarterback Blaine Gabbert had fa different offensive coordinator each year he was in teal and black.

Jacksonville was last in the league in points scored and at the bottom or near the bottom of every offensive category in the NFL this season. Fisch’s play calling had been the subject of debate since he arrived in Jacksonville from the University of Miami.

According to the Jaguars staff, Fisch was let go because of “philosophical difference.”

“This is tough on me,” Coach Gus Bradley said early Tuesday afternoon, minutes after team announced Bradley’s decision part ways with the 37-year-old Fisch. “I know it’s tough on our staff and our team. Jedd’s a very good friend of mine, and a guy who put his heart and soul into this organization and what we’re trying to build.”

Bradley, speaking at his annual end-of-season media availability days after the Jaguars finished his second season with a 3-13 record, stressed that the move wasn’t just about the Jaguars’ back-to-back 31st ranking in the NFL in total offense.

Now that there is a position open on Bradley’s staff, here are a few names the team might consider.

Mark Trestman – The former Chicago Bears head coach is known as something of a “Quarterback Whisperer.” While he was not successful in a head coaching role, he is known to be a keen offensive mind and may be just who Blake Bortles needs.

Greg Roman – Roman was a candidate for the head coaching job here in Jacksonville before Gus Bradley was hired. Roman is a personal friend of Dave Caldwell’s which may help him land here. Roman as worked in San Francisco with their offense under the direction of Jim Harbaugh.

Greg Knapp – The current quarterback coach of the Denver Broncos would be a nice fit here in town. I know that most of what Peyton Manning does is of his own doing, but there has to be some kind of game plan. Knapp and current offensive coordinator Adam Gase put that together. If Gase is hired as a head coach, Knapp may be next in line to replace him, but for now, he should be on the team’s radar.

Dirk Koetter – While this sounds odd and may not be the best move, Koetter can score points. Now that Mike Smith is out in Atlanta, Koetter may be looking for a new gig. Could he come back home?  Matt Ryan did not score all those points on his own and while Atlanta has more weapons than the Jags, he could be on the list.

Alex Van Pelt – He is currently the quarterbacks coach in Green Bay. By process of elimination, Tom Clements, the offensive coordinator for the Packers isn’t going anywhere. Van Pelt is a former quarterback himself and if he can work magic with Blake Bortles the way the Packers have made Aaron Rodgers a star, he deserves a look.