The Jacksonville Jaguars and Offensive Coordinator John DeFilippo have mutually agreed to part ways, according to a statement sent out by the team Monday.
The statement says Head Coach Doug Marrone will begin the offensive coordinator search immediately.
Official Statement:
"The Jacksonville Jaguars and Offensive Coordinator John DeFilippo have mutually agreed to part ways, the club announced today. Head Coach Doug Marrone will begin the offensive coordinator search immediately."
Even before the signing of then-free agent quarterback Nick Foles, many presumed the hiring of offensive coordinator John DeFilippo last off-season signaled the Jaguars were zeroing in on his former, Philadelphia Eagle comrade. Once Foles did become the Jaguars’ quarterback, his chemistry with his former quarterback coach was very evident from the onset of their tenure in Duval County. Foles was injured 11 plays into his Jaguars' tenure and was never the same; he was benched for rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew Week 14.
As Foles goes, so, too, has DeFilippo.
And now DeFilippo is gone.
The Jaguars improved only marginally in many offensive statistics under yet another "one-and-done" offensive coordinator. They went from 30th to 26th in the league in points scored -- although they averaged a mere, 18.8 points per game. They also improved from 29th to 27th in first downs, but struggled mightily on third down, going from a 40.43% completion percentage in 2018 (12th in the NFL) to a 33.55% percentage (26th).
The 41-year old DeFilippo was fired by the Minnesota Vikings after Week 14 of the 2018 season. His firing was said to be due to a lack of running the ball – despite star running back Dalvin Cook being sidelined with an injury and prized, free agent signing Kirk Cousins under-center.
Similarly, DeFilippo came under fire following the Jaguars’ loss to the Colts Week 12 in which they ran the ball a franchise-low nine times. However, they responded by handing the ball off to Leonard Fournette 24 times for 97 yards against the Titans Week 13.
Before Jacksonville and Minnesota, DeFilippo served as the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterbacks coach for two seasons, including their Super Bowl-winning, 2017 campaign. Prior to that, he served as offensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns (2015) and quarterbacks coach of the Oakland Raiders (2012-2014).
The Jaguars will now be hiring their fifth offensive coordinator in six seasons.