The poor performances of the Jaguars passing game and special teams have cost five assistant coaches their job. Offensive coordinator Carl Smith, special teams coordinator Pete Rodriguez, quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson, wide receivers coach Steve Walters and special teams assistant Mark Michaels were informed by head coach Jack Del Rio on Tuesday that they would not be retained in 2007.
Smith, Anderson and Walters fell victim to a passing game that was ranked 24th in the league this season. Rodriguez' special teams had a nightmarish season that concluded with a punt that was blocked and recovered by Kansas City for a touchdown in Sunday's 35-30 loss at Arrowhead Stadium.
"I appreciate the effort each of these men gave during their time here," Del Rio said in the team's announcement of the coaching staff moves. "These decisions are always very difficult, but any decision that is made is done solely from the desire to win football games. I wish each of these coaches nothing but the best as they move on."
Smith was the Jaguars' offensive coordinator for the past two seasons. He came to Jacksonville after coaching for 17 seasons in the NFL and 14 years at the collegiate level. Smith was the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator from 1986-96.
Rodriguez was Del Rio's special teams boss for the past three seasons. He has 19 years of NFL coaching experience.
Anderson is an original member of Del Rio's staff. He was the team's quarterbacks coach in three of his four seasons; he coached the wide receivers in 2004. Anderson has 14 years of NFL coaching experience and was a star quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Walters was on Del Rio's staff for two seasons, after spending the previous six seasons as Tennessee Titans wide receivers coach. He has 24 years of NFL coaching experience and spent 11 years as a collegiate coach.
Michaels was hired in '05, after having been Seattle's special teams coordinator in '04. He has 20 years of coaching experience, including eight years in the NFL.
"Everything will be evaluated," Del Rio told reporters during his season-ending press conference on Tuesday. "I have a lot of energy and I am fully committed to building a championship football team in Jacksonville.
"We will do things better going forward," he added.
