The Jacksonville Jaguars hold the distinction of being the only franchise from one of the four major sports to play in the city. The Jaguars have pulled off some big wins and monumental upsets during their brief journey in the NFL. Before looking ahead to this year’s Jaguars schedule, let’s take a glimpse at the history of the franchise.
Jaguars Schedule: Past and Present
After decades of failing to land a franchise or persuade a team to move to the city, Jacksonville was awarded an expansion franchise in 1993. The city was awarded the team the same year charlotte was awarded the Carolina Panthers. Both teams made their debuts during the 1995 season.
The three final candidates for the first head coaching job were then Boston College head coach Tom Coughlin, Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Tony Dungy and San Francisco 49ers assistant Mike Shanahan. Coughlin was eventually tabbed as the first head coach in franchise history.
After going just 4-12 in their first season, the Jags went 9-7 and secured a playoff berth the following year. Led by Coughlin, quarterback Mark Brunell and wide receivers Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith, the Jags stunned the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos in the first two rounds of the playoffs before losing to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. The Jags made the playoffs each year from 96-99, but failed to advance past the conference championship game.
Coughlin would be fired after the 2002 season and Brunell would eventually lose his job during the 2003 campaign. The Jaguars didn’t win another playoff game until upsetting the Steelers in Pittsburgh in the Wild Card round in 2007. Entering 2013, the Jags haven’t won a playoff game nor have they posted a record above .500 since.
In 2012, the Jaguars tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-14. The Jags cleaned house during the offseason by firing general manager Gene Smith and head coach Mike Mularkey. David Caldwell was named the team’s new GM and Gus Bradley took over as head coach.
Entering 2014, the Jags have won two division titles and appeared in the playoffs six times during their brief history.
Download: Jaguars Schedule