The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially introduced Grant Udinski as their new offensive coordinator, announcing the hiring late Wednesday night. This marks Udinski's first role as a coordinator following five seasons of coaching experience within the NFL.
Head coach Liam Coen expressed excitement over the move, stating, "Grant will bring a wealth of knowledge, energy, and a winning mindset to help lead our offense here in Jacksonville. He is a rising star in this league, and we can’t wait to have him lead our offense." Under Coen’s helm, the Jaguars are hoping to turn around their offensive struggles following the disappointing 2024 season.
Udinski, aged 29, began his coaching career at Baylor University as a graduate assistant before entering the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, where he served as a coaching assistant from 2020 to 2021. He quickly climbed the ranks, joining the Minnesota Vikings coaching staff in 2022 as assistant to the head coach for special projects. By 2023, he was promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach, and then to assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach for the 2024 season.
During his tenure at the Vikings, Udinski was instrumental in helping quarterback Sam Darnold achieve record-breaking career highs. The Vikings’ offense excelled, finishing sixth in passing yards per game and fifth in passing yards per attempt. Darnold not only led the Vikings to impressive victories, but he also became the first quarterback to record 14 wins within his first season on any team.
Before making the leap to coordinator, Udinski demonstrated resilience and adaptability as he navigated transitioning quarterback situations, including four different players starting for the Vikings and leading the team with outstanding passing statistics.
The Jaguars' offensive struggles were evident last season, as they ranked 26th overall for points scored and 25th for total yards, resulting in the team's disappointing 4-13 finish. The previous offensive coordinator, Press Taylor, left to join the Chicago Bears. This change created the opportunity for Udinski's arrival.
Coen's approach as head coach includes retaining play-calling responsibilities, meaning Udinski will focus more on improving the overall functioning of the offense rather than handling play design himself. Coen's strategy aims to revitalize quarterback Trevor Lawrence's performance, which has declined since his Pro Bowl appearance two seasons ago. Lawrence's struggles last year prompted many to look forward to potential improvements Udinski might bring.
Udinski's hire also completes the key assistant coaching roles with Anthony Campanile joining as defensive coordinator. The team feels optimistic about the alignment and balance this coaching staff brings, with Coen and Udinski established as firm leaders on their respective sides of the ball.
Throughout his rapid ascent as one of the more promising young coaches, the interest Udinski garnered from other teams, including the Houston Texans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, shows his growing reputation across the league. His ability to connect with players was highlighted by both O’Connell and Darnold, who noted how Udinski is not just committed to hard work but also engages deeply with his players during preparation.
"His sheer football stamina is something I really admire," remarked O'Connell during the announcement of Udinski’s hiring. Such sentiments only reinforce the promising potential Udinski has to influence the Jaguars' future successes.
With the revamped coaching staff now set, the Jaguars face expectations of improvement and revitalization. Fans and analysts will be watching to see how quickly and effectively the renowned coaching abilities of Udinski will translate on the field as they usher the team toward a hopeful 2025 season.