​The Jacksonville Jaguars boast one of the strongest coaching trios in the NFL. Liam Coen, entering only his second season as head coach, has already built a reputation as one of the league’s brightest offensive minds. Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile are among the most rapidly rising assistants, each having interviewed for multiple head coaching openings this past cycle and expected to land HC roles soon, possibly as early as next season.
But Jacksonville’s coaching talent doesn’t stop there. Jaguars passing game coordinator Shane Waldron brings a lengthy background as an offensive coach, including stints as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks and the Chicago Bears. Those previous stops didn’t yield the hoped-for success, as both teams moved on from him and saw their offenses improve after his departure. Yet Coen saw potential in Waldron and brought him onto his staff, giving the former OC another chance to reestablish his career. Now, heading into his second season in Duval, Waldron is poised to have a far larger role in 2026. Coen just promoted him to assistant head coach, recognizing his contribution and work ethic.
Despite past challenges, Waldron contributed to the Jaguars’ offensive ascent in 2025, and Coen believes his influence helped push the unit to new heights, earning the promotion. So, can Waldron get his career back on track? It’s still early, but his collaboration with Coen and Udinski marked a first step toward revitalization. Seahawks Wire’s Kole Musgrove noted that Waldron’s Seattle tenure was largely underwhelming, describing Seattle’s offense as uncreative and inconsistent and not fully leveraging talents like wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. When Waldron moved to Chicago as OC, JSN reportedly offered little praise, reflecting a challenging stretch. Those critiques align with Waldron’s nine-game stint as Bears OC before he was relieved of duties.
However, working with Coen and Udinski may have unlocked new potential for Waldron. In his new role as Assistant Head Coach, he is expected to have a much more significant impact on Jacksonville’s offense this season. If 2026 proves to be a bounce-back year, Waldron could become a strong candidate to succeed Udinski as offensive coordinator if Udinski leaves for a head coaching opportunity next year.
Looking ahead, the Jaguars’ 2026 performance could determine Waldron’s fate and whether Coen deserves credit for a genuine coaching breakthrough or if Waldron has simply found a new path to success. How Jacksonville’s offense performs in 2026 will likely shape the narrative and influence SEO-focused discussions about the team’s coaching leadership and potential replacements.