Jacksonville Jaguars assistant head coach/defensive line coach John Pease has been promoted to assistant head coach/defensive coordinator for the team. Pease, 58, has been on the Jaguars' coaching staff for all seven seasons, the first six as defensive line coach before being named assistant head coach last year.

"John Pease is an experienced, excellent football coach who has been an integral part of our defensive staff from the beginning," said head coach Tom Coughlin. "His knowledge, his energy and his strengths make him the best person to coordinate our defense as we enter our eighth season."

In 2001 the Jaguars defense ranked 10th in the NFL in run defense, and recorded 43 sacks to tie for 10th in the league in that category as well. Over the last six seasons the Jaguars have allowed a total of 65 rushing touchdowns for the fifth-fewest in the league in that time.

Two Jaguars defensive linemen recorded career-highs in sacks in 2001 under Pease, with Renaldo Wynn and Seth Payne each turning in five sacks. The other two starters, Tony Brackens and Gary Walker, each recorded the second-highest sack total of his career with Brackens leading the team with 11 and Walker finishing second with seven-and-a-half.

Pease is beginning his 17th season as an NFL coach, including nine years with the New Orleans Saints. His 32-year coaching career spans 13 seasons at the collegiate level and three years in the USFL.

In taking over responsibility for the Jaguars defense, Pease replaces Gary Moeller. Pease becomes the fourth defensive coordinator for the Jaguars, following Moeller, Dick Jauron and Dom Capers. Jauron is now the Chicago Bears head coach, and Capers is the Houston Texans head coach.