Coaches

Tony Oden was named secondary coach for the Jaguars on January 19, 2012.  Oden, a 16-year coaching veteran, spent the past six seasons with the New Orleans Saints including the 2011 season as secondary coach.

Oden assisted with the Saints defensive backs from 2006-10 before he was promoted in 2011. In his six seasons with the Saints, the club won three NFC South division titles in addition to Super Bowl XLIV. Since 2009 the Saints have allowed the third-fewest touchdown passes (52), had the third-most interception return yards (928) and tied for the second-most interception returns for touchdowns (nine).  In 2011 the Saints ranked third in the NFC with only 28 completions allowed of 20-plus yards. 

In 2010 the New Orleans secondary played a key role in the defense’s improvement from 25^th to fourth in total defense, and 26^th to fourth in passing defense. The Saints allowed an NFL-low 13 touchdown passes, and Roman Harper became the first safety in franchise history to be a two-time Pro Bowl selection. 

The Saints ranked third in the NFL in 2009 with 26 interceptions, including a league-high five returned for touchdowns, while also ranking fifth in fewest touchdown passes allowed (15). Safety Darren Sharper led the team and tied for the NFL lead with nine interceptions including three returned for touchdowns.  Oden assisted with the development of Tracy Porter, who in his second season had four interceptions in the regular season and two in the postseason.  In Oden’s first season with the Saints, the club ranked third in the NFL in pass defense.

Prior to joining the Saints, Oden spent two seasons (2004-05) as a defensive assistant/assistant defensive backs coach for the Houston Texans.  In 2004 the Texans secondary recorded 18 interceptions including six by rookie cornerback Dunta Robinson. 

Oden was defensive backs coach at Eastern Michigan in 2003 following three seasons on the staff at East Carolina in various capacities.  He was outside linebackers coach in 2000, secondary coach in 2001 and safeties coach in 2002.  He also assisted with special teams each season. 

Oden served as assistant defensive backs coach at Army for two seasons (1998-99) and also led the junior varsity team.  He was a summer intern with the Green Bay Packers in 1999 and the Cleveland Browns in 2001. 

Oden began his coaching career at Millersville (Pa.) University in 1996 as assistant defensive backs coach before spending the 1997 season a graduate assistant at Boston College. 

A native of Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Oden was a two-time all-conference selection at linebacker for Baldwin-Wallace.  He earned All-America recognition and Co-Defensive MVP honors as a senior.  He and his wife, Amanda, have a son, Jaylen, and a daughter, Ryan.