Jacksonville Jaguars hire former Eagles coach Doug Pederson
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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Jacksonville Jaguars hire former Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson (NCD)
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Doug Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to their only Super Bowl victory, has been named head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Pederson, 54, replaces Urban Meyer, who was fired after a tumultuous season on and off the field. Meyer was replaced after 13 games as the Jaguars went 2-11.
“Doug Pederson four years ago won a Super Bowl as head coach of a franchise in pursuit of its first world championship,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a news release. “I hope Doug can replicate that magic here in Jacksonville, but what is certain is his proven leadership and experience as a winning head coach in the National Football League. It’s exactly what our players deserve. Nothing less.
“Combine this with his acumen on the offensive side of the ball, and you have why I am proud to name Doug Pederson the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. I know our fans will warmly welcome Doug and his family to Duval and I personally look forward to having Doug as part of everything we envision for the team, downtown and community in the years ahead.”
Pederson coached the Eagles from 2016 to 2020, compiling a 42-37 record and three playoff berths, according to Bleacher Report. In 2017 he guided the Eagles to a 13-3 regular-season mark and a 41-33 victory against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.
He was fired by the Eagles last offseason.
Pederson was inactive during the 2021 season, but was the first head coaching candidate the Jaguars interviewed, according to ESPN, which first reported the hire on Thursday night. He spoke with the team on Dec. 30 and had his second interview on Tuesday.
Despite his early success in Philadelphia, Pederson was fired after a 4-11-1 mark in 2020. His relationship with quarterback Carson Wentz apparently soured when the coach benched him in favor of Jalen Hurts, according to Bleacher Report.
Pederson played 10 seasons in the NFL, mainly as a backup quarterback, ESPN reported. He played for the Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, the Eagles and the Cleveland Browns from 1993 to 2004. He started nine games for the Eagles in 1999 and eight the following season in Cleveland. He was 3-14 overall as a starter.
Pederson threw for 12 touchdowns and 19 interceptions during his career. He earned a Super Bowl ring with Green Bay in 1996, CBS Sports reported.
Meyer, 57, was fired in mid-December, hours after the Tampa Bay Times reported that ex-Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo said the coach kicked his leg during warm-ups ahead of a preseason practice session. Meyer also made headlines in late September when he was shown behaving inappropriately with a woman at an Ohio bar in a video that circulated online, according to the AP.
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Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years Doug Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to their only Super Bowl victory, has been named head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here are some memorable photos of Pederson through the years. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 1998: Doug Pederson of the Green Bay Packers runs out of the pocket, looking for an open receiver downfield during the NFL American Bowl Game against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Tokyodome in Tokyo, Japan, on Aug. 2, 1998. The Packers defeated the Chiefs 27-2. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 1999: Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles moves to pass the ball during the game against the New York Giants at the Veteran Stadium in Philadelphia on Oct. 31, 1999. The Giants defeated the Eagles 23-17. (Ezra O. Shaw/Allsport via Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2000: Doug Pederson of the Cleveland Browns watches the snow fall during the game against the Tennessee Titans at the Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, on Dec. 17, 2000. The Titans defeated the Browns 24-0. (Jamie Squire/Allsport via Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2001: Doug Pederson of the Green Bay Packers drops back to throw a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the NFL Pre-season game at Network Associates Coliseum in Oakland, California on Aug. 31, 2001. (Jed Jacobsohn/Allsport via Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2002: Quarterback Doug Pederson of the Green Bay Packers attempts a hand off during the NFL Monday Night Football game against the Cleveland Browns on August 26, 2002, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers won 27-20. (Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2003: Quarterback Doug Pederson of the Green Bay Packers smiles during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 2, 2003, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Green Bay Packers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 30-27. (Elsa/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2004: Backup quarterback Doug Pederson of the Green Bay Packers looks on from the sidelines during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 13, 2004, in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Packers won 24-14. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2009: Michael Vick of the Philadelphia Eagles talks to coach Doug Pedersen before the preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lincoln Financial Field on August 27, 2009, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2011: Michael Vick and quarterbacks coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles against the Atlanta Falcons at Georgia Dome on September 18, 2011, in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2016: Carson Wentz and head coach Doug Pederson fist-bump during warmups before taking on the Minnesota Vikings at Lincoln Financial Field on October 23, 2016, in Philadelphia. (Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2017: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles watches the action during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 10, 2017, in Los Angeles. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2018: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after his team's 41-33 win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII at U.S. Bank Stadium on February 4, 2018, in Minneapolis. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New England Patriots 41-33. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2019: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on prior to the game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on December 1, 2019, in Miami. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2020: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles walks on to the field prior to the NFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lincoln Financial Field on January 5, 2020, in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Photos: NFL coach Doug Pederson through the years 2021: Head coach Doug Pederson of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on during the first quarter of the game against the Washington Football Team at Lincoln Financial Field on January 3, 2021, in Philadelphia. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
