The Jacksonville Jaguars are officially entering the Liam Coen era, and the new head coach isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on the team. With his sights set on revitalizing a struggling defense, Coen has reportedly zeroed in on Los Angeles Rams associate head coach Aubrey Pleasant for the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator role.
Pleasant, one of the NFL’s fastest-rising coaching stars, has already drawn attention for his defensive expertise, even interviewing for the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator position under new head coach Ben Johnson. Although the Bears ultimately hired Dennis Allen, Pleasant remains a hot commodity—and Jacksonville could be his next stop.
A reunion rooted in success
Coen and Pleasant share a history of success from their time under Sean McVay in Los Angeles from 2018-2020. Together, they helped lead the Rams to Super Bowl LIII, with Pleasant playing a crucial role in developing one of the league’s most dynamic defensive units. That connection could prove pivotal as Coen builds his vision for the Jaguars, starting with a defense that badly needs an overhaul.
The Jacksonville defensive dilemma
If Pleasant takes the job, he’ll inherit a defense that was, by all accounts, a disaster in 2024. Under Ryan Nielsen, Jacksonville’s secondary was plagued by busted coverages and an inability to stop the deep ball, while the pass rush consistently fell short of expectations. Yet, the unit is far from devoid of talent. With players like Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, Arik Armstead, Tyson Campbell, Foye Oluokun, and Jarrian Jones, the Jaguars have the foundation for a quick turnaround.
Jaguars beat writer John Shipley summed up the challenge perfectly:
“The Jaguars need to turn around their pass defense after an abysmal year in the secondary. They have talented pieces already in place, but they just need the right coach to lead them.”
Pleasant’s track record of turning overlooked talent into defensive powerhouses makes him an ideal candidate. In Los Angeles, he helped Chris Shula transform a Rams defense into one of the most feared in the league, and he could bring that same magic to Jacksonville.
AFC South: A division ripe for the taking
Another potential draw for Pleasant is the opportunity to thrive in a division currently in disarray. The Houston Texans just parted ways with offensive coordinator Anthony Richardson, the Indianapolis Colts continue to flounder with an inconsistent roster, and the Tennessee Titans are far from a competitive threat. Jacksonville’s defensive rebuild, led by Pleasant, could position the team as a dominant force in the AFC South.
A trend of McVay disciples finding success
If Pleasant joins Coen’s staff, he would become the fourth assistant head coach under Sean McVay to land a defensive coordinator job elsewhere. McVay’s coaching tree has become one of the NFL’s most respected, producing leaders who thrive in key roles. Pleasant’s success with the Rams, paired with his rising reputation, suggests he’s more than ready for the next step in his career.
What’s next for the Jaguars?
While Pleasant hasn’t officially been offered the job, all signs point to him being at the top of Coen’s list. For the Jaguars, securing Pleasant’s expertise would be a massive win as they aim to fix their defense and build on their progress. With the right leadership in place, Jacksonville could quickly emerge as a playoff contender in a wide-open AFC South.
For now, the spotlight is on Pleasant—and whether he’ll bring his defensive magic to Jacksonville in what could be one of the most pivotal hires of the offseason.
