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Trent Baalke stays: Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan defends keeping GM, firing coach
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- Trent Baalke stays: Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan defends keeping GM, firing coach
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan said the reason he fired coach Doug Pederson and retained general manager Trent Baalke is that he didn't see the need for a total housecleaning that would reach into the depths of football operations.
"I don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater," Khan said on Monday during a teleconference with Baalke, hours after Khan fired his fifth coach since buying the team in 2011. "We have a lot of things that are working that can always be improved and will improve ... and the coaching is an area we need to fix now. Certainly, over the last few years, we've built a football administration, and things are working well there."
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When Khan was asked why he didn't do "a complete overhaul" of the coaching staff and front office , which would include firing Baalke as well as Pederson, he replied that would be "suicidal."
GENE FRENETTE: Jaguars decide to split the baby, firing Doug Pederson, keeping Trent Baalke
"What is a complete overhaul?" he asked. "You look at it, health and wellness ... of the players, medical, statistics, analysis, scouting ... a number of other elements ... all of those areas we have really changed, improved. You've got 85 people working on that side and you say, 'I'm going to get rid of them and find 85 new people better than that? That's like shooting yourself in the foot."
Khan doesn't rule out an executive vice-president
However, Khan didn't rule out hiring an executive vice-president of football operations, similar to the role Tom Coughlin had from 2016-2019 , and said if a coaching candidate had reservations about working with Baalke (who has had five coaches fired while the general manager with San Francisco and Jacksonville) he would listen to what they had to say.
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"We can always ... It's got to be the right person," Khan said. "We need to add some people. We're lean. If we find the right person definitely."
Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan speaks as Head Coach Doug Pederson listens in as the business bearing the name on the new practice facility, Miller Electric Center, is announced during a media conference after a minicamp football practice Monday, June 13, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville.
If a candidate for the job wanted to work with a different general manager, Khan said the he would have to make a compelling case.
"If they need something we want to listen," Khan said. "If they have reservations, I want to address them honestly and openly."
Shad Khan criticizes offensive, defensive schemes
Khan said one of the reasons for Pederson's dismissal was the offensive and defensive schemes on both sides of the ball had gotten too "predictable."
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Khan also criticized the defense for dropping to last in the NFL in most categories.
"If our defense would improve, get to the middle of the pack, how many of those [close] games would we win?" Khan asked.
Trent Baalke's drafts have lacked in star power
Baalke has been the general manager for the last four drafts, and of those 38 players, none have been All-Pro and only 16 started or were used heavily in rotations this season. Seven are no longer with the team.
The only players among the nine in this year's rookie class who started were wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. , and kicker Cam Little.
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However, Khan defended "the body of work," in terms of the draft, free agents and undrafted free agents.
"You look at the building blocks of players we have ... you look at our salary cap, the number of draft picks and make sure our key players are getting paid," he said. "All of that has happened and we haven't mortgaged our future."
Baalke was asked if he was surprised to still be employed.
"I don't know if surprised is the right word," he said. "It's not my decision. It's the decision of ownership. I don't take the job lightly. We weren't productive on the field. I'm just as responsible as anyone else."
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Shad Khan said the position would lure good candidates
Khan didn't set a timeline for finding the next coach but was confident it would be an attractive position.
"We have a very compelling case on what we have to offer a coach," he said. "Players, salary cap, the city, brick and mortar, facilities, our division ... a very compelling case."
Baalke said he believed the team's fortunes can be turned around quickly.
"From where we were in 2022 [going from 3-14 to 9-8 and the playoffs], there's no reason why we can't repeat that," Baalke said. "There are a lot of good young players on this team, a lot to look forward to. The fan base deserves a winner. This can be flipped and flipped quick."
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars GM Trent Baalke's retention defended by Shad Khan
