The NFL has already seen a huge number of fired coaches this season and now another name can be added to the list. The Jacksonville Jaguars announced on Thursday that they are firing head coach Mike Mularkey after just one season with the team.
Newly appointed general manager Dave Caldwell and owner Shad Khan spoke about the move at a press conference and talked about the future of the team and the coaching staff. Mularkey is now the eighth coach to be fired following the 2012 season, with just two teams having found replacements with Andy Reid, who was fired by the Eagles, taking over the Chiefs and the Doug Marrone joining the Bills.
"I informed Mike today that he will not return as head coach of the Jaguars," Caldwell said to ESPN.com in a statement. "I know Mike well and do not want anyone to misinterpret the rationale behind my decision. Mike is an excellent coach and I am sure he will succeed in his next stop in the NFL."
Caldwell and Mularkey have a relationship that dates back to when they both were with the Atlanta Falcons. Reports say that Caldwell and the team will likely turn to 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman or Falcons defensive coordinator Mike Nolan as Mularkey's replacement.
"However, I must do what I believe is best for the Jacksonville Jaguars and immediately explore every avenue possible to turn our football team around. For that to happen as seamlessly as we want, and as quickly as our fans deserve, I feel it is in everyone's best interests for an immediate and clean restart."
The 51-year-old Mularkey didn't have much time to turn the Jaguars into a success and went just 2-14 in his first season, the worst record in franchise history. The team lost eight games by 16 points or more this season and was ranked 29th in the league in scoring with just 15.9 points per game. Mularkey was formerly coach of the Buffalo Bills and has a 16-32 career record. He signed a three-year deal in January of 2012 with the team.
"Mike Mularkey is leaving our organization with my utmost respect," Khan said in the statement. "Mike gave the Jaguars everything he had on and off the field, and his efforts as our head coach will always be appreciated. Mike will land on his feet soon. Until then, I wish nothing but the best for Mike and his family."
The Jaguars dealt with injuries and inexperienced players at nearly every position and finished ranked 30th in the league in rushing after losing running back Maurice Jones-Drew early in the year. The team was 21st in the league in passing offense behind Blaine Gabbert and Chad Henne and was awful on defense, allowing over 140 rushing yards per game.
The team opened the season with two straight losses before defeating the Indianapolis Colts, but things did not get any better after the victory. The Jaguars lost seven games in a row, including 43-37 in overtime to the Texans in one of the highest scoring games of the year. After defeating the Titans 24-19, the Jaguars lost the next five games in a row, including the regular-season finale 38-20 to the Titans.
The Jaguars had some extremely long droughts on offense and scored 20 points or less 11 times this season. Henne led the team in passing with 2,084 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Jones-Drew was tops in rushing with 414 yards despite getting injured early in the season. The only bright spots for the team were wide receivers Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon, who combined for 12 touchdowns and 119 receptions.
Jacksonville finished in last place in the AFC South and finished under .500 for the second straight year and fourth time in five seasons. Mularkey appeared to be safe in his job when the first week of firings came and went, but it became clear that team was looking to go in a new direction after bringing in a new general manager.
The Jaguars will have the second pick in the NFL draft and have a litany of options to choose from. Even though they just drafted Blaine Gabbert two years ago, the team could take a flyer on Geno Smith or Matt Barkley at quarterback or even swing a trade with the Jets for Tim Tebow. Other options in the draft include Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones and Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te'o.
The past three Jaguars coaches have below-.500 records with the team, including Jack Del Rio, who went 69-73 from 2003 to 2011. The only coach with a winning record is Tom Coughlin, who was the first-ever head coach for the team and went 68-60 from 1995 to 2002. For a while, Coughlin's inaugural team was the worst in franchise history after going 4-12, but that was bested by Mularkey's squad.
