Jaguars begin search for new coach following 20-14 loss to Colts

Marrone fired after 1-15 season

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INDIANAPOLIS | On Monday, after four-plus seasons, the Jacksonville Jaguars fired Doug Marrone as head coach.

 “I am committed and determined to deliver winning football to the City of Jacksonville,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “Realizing that goal requires a fresh start throughout our football operations, and with that in mind I spoke this morning with Doug Marrone to express my gratitude for his hard work over the past four seasons as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.”

 The sacking came one-day after Jacksonville wrapped up the season with a 20-14 loss at Indianapolis and finishing with a 1-15 record.

 “I’ll always appreciate Doug’s passion, grit and class, and I’m confident he will enjoy success in the next chapter of his career,” Kahn added. “As the search for our new general manager continues, now the quest begins to find a head coach who shares my ambition for the Jacksonville Jaguars and our fans, whose loyalty and faith are overdue to be rewarded.”

 The Jaguars own the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which is scheduled for April 29-May 1 in Cleveland.

 On Monday, the Jaguars signed linebacker Nate Evans, wide receiver Josh Hammond, offensive linemen Garrett McGhin, Austen Pleasants and Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms, cornerbacks Nate Meadors and Josh Nurse, punter Cameron Nizialek, defensive end Aaron Patrick, running back Craig Reynolds and defensive tackle Gabe Wright to reserve/future contracts.

 Next season’s home and away opponents were also announced. The Jaguars will host the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers and Denver Broncos.

The Jaguars will travel to play the Texans, Colts, Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks.

 The Sunday highlights for the Jaguars included a pair of touchdown passes from starting quarterback Mike Glennon to rookie wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. Glennon completed 26-of-46 passes for 261 yards.

The Colts sacked Glennon six times.

Running back Dare Ogunbowale, subbing for an injured James Robinson, rushed for 50 yards on 14 carries.

 Jaguars safety Andrew Wingard intercepted veteran Indianapolis QB Philip Rivers in the third quarter.

 Colts running back Jonathan Taylor clinched the win with a 45-yard TD run. Taylor rushed for 253 yards on 30 carries.

 Rivers completed 17-of-27 passes for 164 yards and one touchdown with an interception. The Colts outgained the Jaguars, 436-283.

 The Colts finished the season 11-5 and are headed to the playoffs. The Jaguars’ loss extended their franchise-record losing streak to 15, the worst season-ending record in franchise history.

Marrone was 23-43 record over four-plus seasons. He took over as an interim coach for the final two games of the 2016 season before a 2017 march to the AFC Championship game.

“What has evaded the Jags is a franchise quarterback,” said Khan, pointing out the six different starting quarterbacks over the past three years. “We have the ability to make a choice and it will define the franchise moving forward.”