Jaguars owner Shad Khan fires GM Trent Baalke

By Hays Carlyon

Put Liam Coen in The Pride.

He ultimately delivered the final straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back.

Fresh off being turned down by Coen, Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, for his head coaching job, Jaguars owner Shad Khan finally accepted what the league has told him for years.

General manager Trent Baalke has to go.

Khan finally made the move fans have clamored for, firing Baalke Wednesday afternoon. The Jaguars coaching search had derailed after being turned down by now Chicago coach Ben Johnson and Coen.

Khan could withstand no more embarrassment.

He released this statement:

“Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to respectfully separate, effective immediately. Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons. Ethan Waugh will serve as interim general manager and play an important role, with others, as we continue the process of interviewing candidates to serve as our new head coach. I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make that happen for our players and fans alike.”

The search now officially resets.

This is an opportunity for Khan to hire a seasoned, proven football mind to show him what building a consistent winner looks like.

Call Bill Belichick.

Call Pete Carroll.

Hire a legend that can build a quality personnel staff and amass a stable of bright, young assistants.

Hire a legend that can show you how it’s done at this level.

Game on.

The Jaguars, finally, are back in the game.

(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter/X @HaysCarlyon)