Quote:Interesting how this conversation evolved over the years.

 

The Jaguars fan base basically had a pep rally when JDR was hired.

 

Nevermind that he only had six years of coaching generally and only one as a coordinator at the time the Jaguars hired him.

 

He wasn't TC, and the ladies found him good looking, and he declared no more three yards and a cloud of dust. 

 

That was all that mattered. 

 

Credentials certainly didn't (except when Cochran and Mehri threatened to sue the NFL for employment discrimination; then the fans were concerned with merit).

 

Now fans want proven names.

 

Fans want a proven entity because they recognize the team has a young core that requires the right kind of coordinators to assist with the progression.

 

Those fans who were excited when Del Rio was hired really were just happy because he wasn't Coughlin.  Of course, a few years later, they were regretting their incessant demands to fire Tom, but that's another discussion.

 

Del Rio was never as  bad a head coach as he was portrayed.  He was definitely green, and some of his ideas didn't really pan out well (keep on chopping wood), but he had a mature roster that was capable of putting wins on the board.  They had their lapses.  Where he was exposed for his inexperience was when the team started to shed that talent.  I don't think he was prepared for that.  On the other hand, when Coughlin had to coach a team that was light on talent, he did some of his best coaching at the end here in Jacksonville.  That team was void of talent, but they still managed to remain competitive week to week.  I think that was because Coughlin had the experience of working with the team from the start.  Jack didn't have that kind of perspective.  Good coach, but needed more seasoning.  I think maybe he's learned a few things and might be ready to step back into that role.  You won't see the same rookie head coach mistakes if he gets another chance.

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