Story by
Jacksonville Jaguars coaching candidates: Who is Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson?
- Story by
- Jacksonville Jaguars coaching candidates: Who is Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson?
The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting the ball rolling on interview requests for their vacant head coaching position.
The team announced requests with multiple candidates, including Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
Advertisement
Jaguars owner Shad Khan fired Doug Pederson Monday morning, announcing that he and general manager Trent Baalke , among others within the team, will lead the search for the team's next coach.
"I will collaborate with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville," Khan said in a statement on Monday.
WHO ELSE? Jaguars coaching candidates: Who is former NY Jets head coach Robert Saleh?
A look toward the offensive side of the ball isn't surprising considering the investment Jacksonville placed in quarterback Trevor Lawrence , inking him to a $275 million contract extension last offseason.
Advertisement
Johnson, 38, has been with the Lions since 2019, beginning with the team as an offensive quality control coach before being promoted multiple times and eventually to full-time offensive coordinator in 2022. He has operated under that role since and has helped quickly elevate the team's offense.
When Johnson took over as the offensive coordinator in 2022, the Lions ranked 22nd in yards per game. In the ensuing years, the Lions ranked fourth, third and second. They ranked first in points per game in 2024.
When can the Jaguars interview Ben Johnson?
Nov 28, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson walks the sidelines before the game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Johnson's Lions are on a bye week as the top seed in the NFC. That means, Johnson is eligible to virtually interview as early as this week.
Advertisement
Trent Baalke stays: Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan defends keeping GM, firing coach
Interviews with candidates currently on playoff teams but with a first-round bye are eligible to be scheduled three days after the conclusion of the regular season.
What is Ben Johnson's coaching history?
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson watches warm up before the Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024.
Johnson began his NFL coaching career with the Miami Dolphins as the team's offensive assistant coach in 2012. He was promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach (2013-14) before adding tight ends coach to his title in 2015. Johnson moved to assistant wide receivers coach for two years in Miami from 2016-17 before being promoted to wide receivers coach in 2018.
Advertisement
Johnson moved on to the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach before becoming the team's tight ends coach (2020-21), adding passing game coordinator to his title during the 2021 season before becoming the team's permanent offensive coordinator in 2022-present.
What are the Jaguars looking for in their next head coach? When will they make a hire?
Khan laid out what the team needs in a new head coach on Monday during his and Baalke's joint press conference with the local media.
Khan spoke about a variety of topics, including the team's coaching regression from previous years. He spoke about the team's need for deception, calling both sides of the football "predictable."
Advertisement
When asked specifically what he is looking for in a new head coach, Khan led off with wanting the coach to "win," and represent the city well.
"I think we want him to represent the city and the team, obviously, well. We want him to win. Right now, we are the most predictable team on both sides of the ball. Football, to win, deception is a big part of it. Unpredictability," said Khan.
"If you know exactly what we're going to do on offense or defense, you'd better have the 22 best players to help us win a football game. So, being unpredictable is I think modern football, and we have to be able to show that on the field."
Baalke said during the presser that the team will do their due diligence to get the right coach.
Advertisement
"We're going to move quickly to get some people lined up to talk to. How long that process takes? I think Shad mentioned, it's going to take as long as it takes to identify the right individual. Is that one interview, is that two interviews? I think we're going to do our due diligence and be very thorough in this process," said Baalke.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
If you're a subscriber, thank you. If not, please consider becoming a subscriber to support local journalism in Northeast Florida .
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars to interview Lions OC Ben Johnson for head coach
