The Jacksonville Jaguars hired Green Bay assistant Anthony Campanile as their new defensive coordinator on Thursday night, giving him the task of improving one of the worst defensive units in the team’s history.
In 2024, the Jaguars (4-13) ranked 31st in yards allowed (389.9 per game) and 28th in points allowed (25.6 per game) under first-year defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen. Nielsen was fired, along with coach Doug Pederson, offensive coordinator Press Taylor, and most of the coaching staff.
Last week, Jacksonville hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen to replace Pederson, and Coen made Campanile one of his first hires. Many believe this is a crucial move, given how poorly the defense has performed in recent years.
“Anthony Campanile represents exactly what we want to be as a defensive unit and football team,” Coen said. “He brings an aggressive defensive mindset and a system that is adaptable to our players and allows them to play fast and physical.”
The Jaguars’ defense has ranked 20th or worse in total defense every year since 2018. Under Pederson, they finished 24th, 22nd, and 31st over three seasons. The defense also struggled in close games in 2024, finishing with a 3-10 record in one-score games.
Now, it’s up to Campanile to improve the unit. Many believe he has enough talent to turn things around quickly, with key players like linebacker Foye Oluokun, cornerback Tyson Campbell, and defensive ends Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker. The Jaguars also have the fifth overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft and more than $30 million in salary-cap space.
Campanile is starting his sixth NFL season and his first as a defensive coordinator. In 2024, he was the linebackers coach and run game coordinator for Green Bay, where the Packers allowed the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game (99.4).
Before joining the Packers, Campanile spent four seasons as the linebackers coach for Miami (2020-2023). He has also worked at the college level with Michigan (2019), Boston College (2016-2018), and Rutgers (2012-2015).
The Jaguars also interviewed former Las Vegas defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Los Angeles Rams assistant Aubrey Pleasant, and Minnesota assistant Daronte Jones for the position.
