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Jaguars interview Patrick Graham. What we know about the Las Vegas defensive coordinator
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- Jaguars interview Patrick Graham. What we know about the Las Vegas defensive coordinator
The Jacksonville Jaguars are getting the ball rolling on interviews and interview requests for the team's vacant head coaching position.
The team announced several interview targets last week, including Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. The team announced Saturday that Graham completed a virtual first-round interview.
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Jacksonville has concluded virtual interviews with four candidates as of press time Monday. In addition to Graham, the team has announced a completed first-round interview with Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo .
Jaguars owner Shad Khan fired Doug Pederson last Monday, 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 Monday.
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In addition to the team's initial list of eight candidates requested for interviews, the Jaguars also requested Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for interviews.
Bringing in an offensive mind like Brady 's isn't surprising and would gel with what Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence would personally look for in his next head coach, at least somewhat.
Graham would be an intriguing hire for rebuilding the team's culture and winning attitude.
He was a candidate for the Los Angeles Chargers during last year's coaching search, given to Jim Harbaugh, in addition to a finalist for the Raiders job, ultimately given to Antonio Pierce.
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Through a turbulent season in Las Vegas , Graham's defense remained respectable, ranking 14th in yards per game allowed (331.1), 13rd in rushing yards allowed per game (116.9) and 15th in passing yards allowed per game (216.2).
When can the Jaguars interview Patrick Graham?
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 24: Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham of the Las Vegas Raiders walks on the field during warmups before a game against the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium on November 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 29-19. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The Jaguars have already conducted a first-round interview with Graham. All interviews with coaches on other teams must remain virtual until the conclusion of the Divisional Round of the playoffs, Jan. 20.
What is Patrick Graham's coaching history?
Sep 18, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham reacts in the second half against the Arizona Cardinals at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Graham, 45, has an extensive coaching history in the NFL dating back to 2009 when he began as a coaching assistant with the New England Patriots .
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Graham didn't take long to move up the ranks, changing positions multiple times including to defensive assistant (2010), linebackers coach (2011), defensive line coach (2012-13) and back to linebackers coach (2014-15) before moving on from New England .
Graham continued his career with the New York Giants as the team's defensive line coach (2016) before moving on to the Green Bay Packers as a linebackers coach and run game coordinator (2018) before finally becoming a defensive coordinator with the Miami Dolphins in 2019.
Graham left his gig with the Dolphins to become the defensive coordinator under then-head coach Joe Judge for two years (2020-21). He became the Raiders' DC in 2022.
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.
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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."
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."
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Baalke said during the presser that the team will do their due diligence to get the right coach.
"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 .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars interview Raiders DC Patrick Graham. What we know
