JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On Monday, the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Ryan Nielsen as the team’s defensive coordinator.
Nielsen was previously the defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. Neilsen will be replacing Mike Caldwell who was fired by the Jags after the team missed the playoffs.
Before he was defensive coordinator in Atlanta, Nielsen was defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints.
The Falcons had originally blocked the Jags and several other teams from speaking with Nielsen but lifted those restrictions.
Nielsen was a hot commodity on the market as he made a massive impact in his first season with Atlanta as the Falcons defense went from 26th to 7th in the NFL for Yards Allowed Per Play.
Jaguars' Head Coach, Doug Pederson shared his optimism following the hire.
"We're excited to welcome Ryan and have him lead our defense moving forward," said Pederson.
"Ryan is an outstanding football coach and his defenses with the Falcons and Saints were always fundamentally sound in both their physicality and concepts. He has the rare ability to both teach and connect with his players. He builds lasting, two-way relationships predicated on trust. He establishes accountability, first from himself, then the players. What I've most admired about Ryan's defenses and we saw this in London back in October was their shared intensity and enthusiasm to get the job done and impact the game."
More on Nielsen, he led from 31st to 3rd in third down defense while improving in almost every defensive category with the Falcons and Saints.