Jacksonville Jaguars hire former Eagles coach Doug Pederson

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Doug Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to their only Super Bowl victory, has been named head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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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.

>> Urban Meyer fired as Jacksonville Jaguars head coach

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)

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