A veteran of 17 seasons as an assistant coach on the collegiate level, Nate Kaczor is in his third year as the Jaguars’ assistant special teams coach. Kaczor joined the Jaguars staff in 2008.
Last year the Jaguars led the NFL for the first time in opponent punt return average (4.2 yards) after being the only team in the league that did not yield a punt return of more than 13 yards. Jaguars special teams ace Montell Owens was voted as the first alternate for the AFC Pro Bowl squad after tying the team record with a career-high 30 special teams tackles. Owens is joined on the unit this year by Pro Bowler Kassim Osgood.
In 2008 the Jaguars led the NFL in opponent start position after kickoffs and allowed an NFL-low 24 kickoff returns of 20-plus yards. The Jaguars were the only team in the NFL to allow only one kickoff return over 40 yards. Rookie free agent Brian Witherspoon set the club’s single-season records for kickoff returns (52) and kickoff return yards (1,250).
Prior to the NFL, Kaczor spent two seasons at Louisiana-Monroe where he served as tight ends coach (2006) and co-offensive coordinator (2007). The club ranked second in the Sun Belt conference in rushing offense in 2007 and averaged 23.5 points per game. The 23.5 points per game were the most at the school since 1993.
Kaczor served as co-offensive coordinator/tight ends coach at Idaho from 2004-05. In 2005 the Vandals passing game ranked 28th in the nation. Wide receiver Bobby Bernal-Wood ranked second in the nation in receptions per game and earned all-conference honors while quarterback Michael Harrington recorded the second-highest single-season completion percentage in school history.
Prior to his stint at Idaho, Kaczor spent four seasons at Nebraska-Kearney as offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach from 2000-03. The school broke or tied 31 offensive records under Kaczor, averaging 35 points and 442 yards per game during his tenure.
Kaczor began his coaching career at his alma mater, Utah State, in 1991. He spent nine seasons as an assistant at Utah State. During his tenure, the Aggies won three conference championships and participated in two bowl games.
Kaczor started at center for the Aggies as a senior and was team captain and earned all-conference honors in 1989. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from Utah State and later earned his master's degree in 2000.
A native of Scott City, Kan., Kaczor and his wife, Angie, have two children, daughter Kaylee and son Micah.
COACHING
BACKGROUND
Utah State 1991-99, Nebraska-Kearney 2000-03, Idaho 2004-05, Louisiana-Monroe 2006-07, Jacksonville Jaguars 2008-10