JACKSONVILLE – The Jaguars' new special teams coordinator is a familiar name.
Joe DeCamillis, the Jaguars' special teams coordinator in 2007-2008, was officially named the Jaguars' special teams coordinator early Friday morning. He served in that capacity with the Denver Broncos the past two seasons.
DeCamillis, 51, joins the staff of Doug Marrone, who was named the Jaguars' head coach Monday after serving as interim head coach in the final two games of the 2016 season.
The Broncos this past season ranked seventh in the NFL in opponents' punt return average (6.8 yards per return) and opponents' kickoff return average (20.2 yards), finishing 11th in the NFL in kick return average (22.9 yards). DeCamillis' units have accounted for 29 kick return scores (18 punt returns, 11 kickoff returns) and 43 takeaways during his 24 NFL seasons.
DeCamillis was the assistant head coach/special teams coordinator for the Chicago Bears in 2013-2014, coordinating special teams with the Dallas Cowboys from 2009-2012, the Jaguars from 2007-2008, the Atlanta Falcons from 1997-2006 and the New York Giants from 1993-1996.
He began his NFL career in Denver under Dan Reeves, assisting in football administration for two seasons before serving as a defensive quality control coach from 1991-92.
DeCamillis' with Chicago coached a unit that allowed a league-low 18.3 yards per kick return while generating two touchdowns returns (one punt return, one kickoff returns) and three takeaways. During his four seasons with Dallas, the Cowboys tied for the most punt return touchdowns in the NFL with six – including a franchise-record three in 2010 by rookies Dez Bryant (two) and Bryan McCann (one).
As Jacksonville's special teams coach from 2007-08, his coverage unit ranked second in the NFL in average opponent field position after kickoffs (25.3-yard line). Thirty-four 34 opponent returns were stopped inside the 20-yard line.
He helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50 following the 2015 season and also served on the Broncos' 1989 AFC Championship team staff and the Falcons' 1998 NFC Championship team staff.
DeCamillis replaces Mike Mallory in the position with the Jaguars. Mallory served in the position the last four seasons. Nothing has been announced by the Jaguars regarding Mallory's future role.
