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The Jacksonville Jaguars have one of the best coaching trios in the entire NFL.
Liam Coen, entering only his second season as a head coach, has already earned a reputation as one of the brightest offensive minds in the league. Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile are two of the fastest-rising assistant coaches around. Both interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs this past cycle and are expected to land HC jobs in the near future, likely as soon as next season.
But Jacksonville's coaching talent doesn't end there.
Jaguars' passing game coordinator Shane Waldron also has a long history as an offensive coach, with stints as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears.
Unfortunately, both of those stops were unsuccessful for Waldron, as both teams moved on from him and saw their offenses improve without him.
However, coach Coen still saw something in Waldron and hired him to his staff, giving the former OC a chance to get his career back on track.
Now heading into his sophomore season in Duval, Waldron looks to play a much bigger role for the Jaguars in 2026.
Coen just gave Waldron a big promotion, adding the title of Assistant Head Coach to his position.
Despite his past struggles, Waldron played a part in the Jaguars' offense reaching new heights in 2025. Coen believed that Waldron's influence and hard work did enough good to earn him the promotion.
It was only one season, but Waldron's work with Coen and Udinski was the first step to getting his career back on track.
As detailed by Kole Musgrove of Seahawks Wire, Waldron's time in Seattle was largely a bust. Despite having one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Waldron's offense in Seattle was largely boring and predictable.
"His offenses in the Pacific Northwest were largely uncreative and inconsistent, never fully utilizing his best assets - such as wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In fact, when Waldron was relieved of his duties in Seattle and went on to be the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator, JSN didn't exactly give Bears fans a glowing review. He actually didn't say anything, which in of itself says quite a lot."
Musgrove is right, as proven by Waldron's failures as Bears OC, when he was removed from his position after only nine games.
However, working with Coen and Udinski may have unlocked something in Waldron. Now, as Assistant Head Coach, Waldron will have much more of an impact on the Jaguars this year.
If Waldron can help make Jacksonville's offense even better in 2026, he may become the favorite to replace Udinski as OC if he leaves for a head coaching job next year.
Even though his previous stints as an OC did not work out, Waldron appears to have figured something out since joining Coen's staff.
Is that something Coen deserves credit for? Or has Waldron truly taken a leap forward as a coach?
How the Jaguars' offense performs in 2026 should answer that question, as well as determine whether Waldron can continue to rise up the coaching ranks.
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Liam Coen, entering only his second season as a head coach, has already earned a reputation as one of the brightest offensive minds in the league. Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile are two of the fastest-rising assistant coaches around. Both interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs this past cycle and are expected to land HC jobs in the near future, likely as soon as next season.
But Jacksonville's coaching talent doesn't end there.
Jaguars' passing game coordinator Shane Waldron also has a long history as an offensive coach, with stints as offensive coordinator for the Seattle Seahawks and Chicago Bears.
Unfortunately, both of those stops were unsuccessful for Waldron, as both teams moved on from him and saw their offenses improve without him.
However, coach Coen still saw something in Waldron and hired him to his staff, giving the former OC a chance to get his career back on track.
Now heading into his sophomore season in Duval, Waldron looks to play a much bigger role for the Jaguars in 2026.
Coen just gave Waldron a big promotion, adding the title of Assistant Head Coach to his position.
Despite his past struggles, Waldron played a part in the Jaguars' offense reaching new heights in 2025. Coen believed that Waldron's influence and hard work did enough good to earn him the promotion.
Can Waldron Get His Career Back On Track?
It was only one season, but Waldron's work with Coen and Udinski was the first step to getting his career back on track.
As detailed by Kole Musgrove of Seahawks Wire, Waldron's time in Seattle was largely a bust. Despite having one of the premier wide receivers in the NFL in Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Waldron's offense in Seattle was largely boring and predictable.
"His offenses in the Pacific Northwest were largely uncreative and inconsistent, never fully utilizing his best assets - such as wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In fact, when Waldron was relieved of his duties in Seattle and went on to be the Chicago Bears' offensive coordinator, JSN didn't exactly give Bears fans a glowing review. He actually didn't say anything, which in of itself says quite a lot."
Musgrove is right, as proven by Waldron's failures as Bears OC, when he was removed from his position after only nine games.
However, working with Coen and Udinski may have unlocked something in Waldron. Now, as Assistant Head Coach, Waldron will have much more of an impact on the Jaguars this year.
Final Thoughts
If Waldron can help make Jacksonville's offense even better in 2026, he may become the favorite to replace Udinski as OC if he leaves for a head coaching job next year.
Even though his previous stints as an OC did not work out, Waldron appears to have figured something out since joining Coen's staff.
Is that something Coen deserves credit for? Or has Waldron truly taken a leap forward as a coach?
How the Jaguars' offense performs in 2026 should answer that question, as well as determine whether Waldron can continue to rise up the coaching ranks.
Join our ROUNDTABLE community! It's free to join. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members. Download the free Roundtable APP, and stay even more connected!
Continue reading...
