The Jacksonville Jaguars have been looking for a new head coach. Now they are also looking for a general manager.
“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,” team owner Shad Khan said Jan. 22 on Jaguars.com.
“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.”
The Jaguars have interviewed numerous candidates for head coach including Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore; Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores; Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken; Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson; Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo; Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen; Las Vegas Raiders defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham; and former New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
Two candidates seen as favorites in the media and by fans are no longer available. Johnson took the Chicago Bears head coaching job and Coen is reported to be staying in Tampa.
“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,” Khan said.
Baalke was named the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. He was Executive of the Year for the 2011 season by the Pro Football Writers of America after the team went 13-3. He was fired after a 2-14 season in 2017.
Baalke was hired by the Jaguars in 2020 as director of player personnel and was promoted to general manager in January 2021.
“Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his efforts over the past five seasons,” Khan said.
During that span, the team was 25-58.
The team fired head coach Doug Pederson on Jan. 7.