By Hays Carlyon
Jaguars owner Shad Khan wants to hire an executive vice president to oversee football.
Ideally, this person won’t attack the job the same way Tom Coughlin did from 2017-19, trying to coach the team and make every significant decision. Khan needs a leader who will delegate, be a resource and ultimately break a tie when coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke have a disagreement.
The EVP shouldn’t set the tone for the football operation. The job should be to act as Khan’s eyes and ears on how the daily football operation is running.
Let’s help him with the search.
Tony Dungy
Why: Dungy will probably say no as he has a comfortable life making big money as a broadcaster on NBC, but he has to be the first call. The 66-year-old Dungy immediately ruled out coaching the Jaguars when Khan fired Urban Meyer. This job would be different. Dungy played three years in the NFL, but reached the Hall of Fame in 2016 for his accomplishments as a coach in Tampa Bay and Indianapolis. Dungy compiled a record of 139-69 and was 9-10 in the playoffs, winning the Super Bowl with the Colts after the 2006 regular season. He would bring immense credibility to Khan and the Jaguars.
Oliver Luck
Why: Luck has one of the most unique resumes in football. He played quarterback for the Houston Oilers from 1982-86. He was the general manager for two different NFL Europe franchises before becoming president of NFL Europe from 1996-2000. He served as West Virginia’s athletic director from 2010-14, before working as a NCAA executive from 2014-18. Luck’s most recent job was commissioner of the XFL from 2018-20. Heck, the 61-year-old Luck even was a soccer general manager for the Houston Dynamo from 2005-10. That might intrigue Khan. Luck – yes, he’s Andrew’s dad — has the perfect blend of experience to serve as Jaguars EVP.
Jim Caldwell
Why: The 67-year-old Caldwell didn’t get a head coaching job once again in this cycle. Perhaps now, he’s ready for a different path. Caldwell went 62-50 coaching Indianapolis and Detroit from 2009-17. He’s regarded as a tremendous team builder and would be a phenomenal resource for coaches and players at TIAA Bank Field. He has the perfect personality for what this job requires.
Amy Trask
Why: Trask, 60, served as CEO of the Raiders from 1997-2013. She knows this league inside and out. Trask’s experience would make her fantastic in this role as a consensus builder and someone who could absolutely relay to Khan what is working inside the building and what isn’t. Trask is currently an analyst for CBS Sports.
Thomas Dimitroff
Why: The 55-year-old Dimitroff served as the Atlanta Falcons general manager from 2008-20. During that span, the Falcons went 113-95 with a 4-6 mark in the playoffs. He also worked for New England as director of college scouting from 2003-07. Dimitroff remains highly thought of in league circles and would add a needed scouting perspective above Baalke.
(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @HaysCarlyon).
