• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Why Leftwich Turned Down Jags’ HC Position

  • The Jaguars hired Doug Pederson to be their next head coach.
  • Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich reportedly withdrew from consideration, refusing to work with GM Trent Baalke.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports/Design: John Regula

On Thursday, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Doug Pederson to be their next head coach — a solid hire for the perennially struggling organization in the wake of the Urban Meyer disaster.

Even so, the move is seen as yet another misstep by owner Shad Khan, after Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich — the slam-dunk pick for the position — reportedly withdrew from consideration, refusing to work with GM Trent Baalke.

Leftwich’s numbers in Tampa suggest Khan should’ve acquiesced to the Super Bowl-winning OC and ousted Baalke.

  • In the three seasons under Leftwich, Tampa Bay’s offense ranked first in the NFL with 29.8 points per game.
  • In 2019, the Bucs were first in yards (302.8) and fourth in points per game (28.6) — in a pre-Tom Brady offense run by Jameis Winston.
  • Brady and Bruce Arians have repeatedly endorsed Leftwich for head coaching jobs.

The former Jags QB is still a beloved figure in Duval County: Amid rumors of his hiring, Leftwich’s jersey became the team’s No. 2 bestseller behind current QB Trevor Lawrence.

Baalke, on the other hand, has a checkered history as an executive.

After initial success with Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco — whom he didn’t actually hire — Baalke’s three HC choices (Jim Tomsula, Chip Kelly, and Meyer) were all fired during or after their first seasons.

Khan’s $8 billion net worth makes him the NFL’s fourth-richest owner — but Jacksonville has made only one playoff appearance in the last 14 years.

Still, Pederson did win a Super Bowl…

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.
Jan 24, 2017; Davidson, NC, USA; The Davidson Wildcats student section cheers during the first half against the Duquesne Dukes at McKillop Court at John M. Belk Arena. Davidson defeated Duquesne 74-60.

Every College Wants a Flashy Basketball GM Hire Right Now

The role is more important than ever, and the definition is ever-evolving.
August 31, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The Goodyear blimp flies over Ohio Stadium during the first half of Saturday’s NCAA Division I football game between the Akron Zips and the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Why the Goodyear Blimp Is at Every Major Sports Event

The airship wasn’t built to cover sports. Now it’s a regular presence.

Featured Today

May 27, 2015; Paris, France; Mirjana Lucic-Baroni (CRO) knocks the clay off her shoe during her match against Simona Halep (ROU) on day four of the French Open at Roland Garros

Roland-Garros’s Iconic Red-Clay Surface Is a Precise Alchemy

The exact science behind maintaining the French Open’s red clay.
Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.
June 3, 2025

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.
May 31, 2025

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
Udoka

Knicks Striking Out on Big-Name Tom Thibodeau Replacements So Far

Three teams have denied the Knicks permission to interview their coaches.
Dec 12, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels new head coach Bill Belichick holds up the sweatshirt worn by his father when he was an assistant coach at New North Carolina Tar Heels new at Loudermilk Center for Excellence.
June 2, 2025

Bill Belichick’s Buyout at UNC Dropped by $9 Million on Sunday

Belichick’s buyout dropped from $10 million to $1 million on Sunday.
Jordan Ott
June 4, 2025

Mat Ishbia Goes Back to Michigan State Again in Quest to Fix..

Phoenix has now hired its coach and GM from the MSU tree.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Ted Leonsis unpacks basketball’s global rise, media rights, and portfolio ownership.
Giraldez
May 30, 2025

Is Coach Moving In Michele Kang’s Soccer Empire A Sign For NWSL?

Kang is another owner taking on a multi-club model.
May 14, 2025

The Highest-Paid NFL Offensive Coordinators

Todd Monken of the Ravens and Mike Kafka of the Giants both earn an estimated $3 million annually. 
Dec 27, 2024; San Diego, CA, USA; Syracuse Orange head coach Fran Brown raises the Holiday Bowl trophy after defeating the Washington State Cougars after the game at Snapdragon Stadium.
exclusive
May 5, 2025

Why Syracuse Football Coach Fran Brown Is Signing With an NIL Agency

“There’s no better time to do it than right now,” Brown says.
Oct 28, 2024; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich talks with guard Chris Paul (3) during the second half against the Houston Rockets at Frost Bank Center.
May 2, 2025

Gregg Popovich Steps Down as Coach of Spurs, Will Still Be President

Popovich was the longest-tenured coach in North American sports.