Doug Marrone doesn't know his future.
But the Jaguars' fourth-year head coach discussed it extensively Sunday in the wake of the team's 28-14 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in the 2020 regular-season finale at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.
While widespread media reports speculated throughout the weekend that Marrone could be dismissed following the season, Marrone said Sunday evening he had heard nothing regarding the situation.
Marrone said he spoke to Jaguars Owner Shad Khan Saturday.
"When all that stuff started coming out [Sunday], I gave him [Khan] a call," Marrone said minutes after the Jaguars' franchise-record 15th consecutive loss. "He said it was news to him and that he would talk to me on Monday. He didn't really give me a time yet."
Of the reports, Marrone said: "When the record is what it is, you have to be able to expect those things."
Marrone has spoken candidly in recent weeks about his future with the organization and did so again Sunday after the Jaguars dropped to 1-15 – their worst single-season record in franchise history. Jacksonville will select No. 1 in the 2021 NFL Draft.
"Whatever happens is going to happen," Marrone said. "I know the record doesn't reflect it. I know I'm a good football coach and I'm looking to have an opportunity. We'll see where it goes."
Jaguars quarterback Mike Glennon: "Doug's a great guy. He really does a good job. What they decide, I don't know. That's just how this business works. We all appreciate what he has done for us, and we'll see what happens."
Marrone said he worries more about how such speculation and reports affect his family and coaches than how it affects him personally.
"I've been very fortunate and have been gifted with great opportunities," he said. "I know who I am as a coach and I know I'm not going to make excuses. … There are a lot things that happened in my life growing up that have prepared me, that were a hell of a lot tougher than the situation I'm going through now. That's how I personally look at it.
"You've got to have a callous when you're brought up in the Bronx."
NOTABLE I
The Jaguars on Sunday allowed a season-high 273 yards rushing, with rookie Jonathan Taylor rushing for 253 yards on 30 carries. The game marked the fourth this season in which the Jaguars had allowed 200 or more yards rushing. Taylor had runs of 56, 45 and 29 yards; Marrone said missed tackles led to three of Taylor's explosive runs. "At the end of the day, those are the things you can't have," Marrone said. "Everyone's responsible for a gap. If someone's in that gap and they're not going to be able to make that play and everyone else is doing their job, it's going to be very difficult for people to overcome that. Unless you're in a two-gap defense. And we're a one-gap defense."
NOTABLE II
The Jaguars entered the game with four wide receivers after deactivating starter DJ Chark Jr. (shin) Sunday and placing rookie Collin Johnson on injured reserve on Saturday with a hamstring injury. The group produced in a big way, with veteran Chris Conley leading all receivers Sunday with seven receptions for a season-high 87 yards. Rookie Laviska Shenault Jr. caught six passes for 68 yards and both Jaguars touchdowns, with Terry Godwin catching three passes for 32 yards and Keelan Cole catching three passes for 23 yards. Godwin never had caught an NFL pass before Sunday. "I thought they played great," Glennon said. "All year long we've known about the depth we had at receiver. This is probably the deepest receiver group I've been a part of. I'm super-proud of those guys. They all made plays. They stepped up."
QUOTABLE I
Glennon on Shenault: "If you can find a way to get the ball in his hands, good things are going to happen. He's like a running back when he gets the ball in his hands, but he can run receiver routes. He's so hard to bring down. He's so strong. He's like a man child out there."
