JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Hours after the Jaguars announced they had hired a Super Bowl champion as their new head coach, fans were still buzzing with the news.
News4JAX sports analyst Frank Frangie joined The Morning Show on Friday to break down the coaching resume and credentials of Doug Pederson, who is now tasked with turning the beleaguered Jaguars around.
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Frangie said he likes the hire -- a lot.
“I think they got the right guy here. He’s an offensive-minded guy,” Frangie said. “He’s a really good coach. He’s a grown-up, a good guy. He’s a professional. I really think they got this thing right. The first guy, the day they fired Urban Meyer, the first guy I thought of and mentioned on the air was Doug Pederson; took a while but they got the right guy.”
Right after Urban Meyer was fired, I was among many - including @HaysCarlyon & @1010XLLauren on our show - who hoped Doug Pederson was the guy. The 1st name many of us mentioned.
— Frank Frangie (@Frank_Frangie) February 4, 2022
The offensive mind of Pederson with the skills of Trevor. I’m really excited.
Frangie said the biggest benefit for the Jaguars will likely be Pederson’s ability to develop quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
“I said this from day one: I think the most important thing in this hire is bringing in a guy that can develop Trevor Lawrence,” Frangie said. “Trevor is very excited about it. I know people who were with him when this thing broke last night. He is excited about Doug Pederson.”
Pederson’s resume includes winning Super Bowl 52 over the Patriots’ Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Frangie pointed out that’s a rare feat.
He said it’s unclear what role general manager Trent Baalke will have moving forward but he expects Pederson to get along with the Jaguars front office.
“I don’t think Doug is difficult to get along with. I don’t think he is a guy that will clash with management,” Frangie said.
The key, Frangie said, will be resetting the Jaguars’ culture.
“We needed no off-field drama,” Frangie said. “We didn’t need all these stories other than football. That’s how you stabilize the team -- when you believe in your leader, when you believe in his culture. Culture isn’t just a word you can use. It has to be real. It has to be the way you live your life, and I think Doug Pederson will be that guy.”