JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Tony Boselli, a Pro Football Hall of Fame left tackle and the first-ever draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, has been appointed as the executive vice president of football operations for the franchise.
The announcement came from Jaguars owner Shad Khan on Monday, who explained that Boselli will team up with new head coach Liam Coen and the forthcoming general manager to make up the “football leadership unit.” Each member of this leadership group will report directly to Khan.
During a media Zoom meeting, Boselli reflected on his many contributions to the organization over the years, from playing to serving as an ambassador and assisting with season tickets and radio shows. “You name it, I’ve done everything. But this is really the job I’ve dreamed about,” he shared.
Boselli’s responsibilities will encompass a variety of areas, including player engagement, football technology, travel and logistics, equipment management, sports performance, team security, and football communications. Furthermore, he will act as a bridge between football operations and the business side of the organization, aiming to foster a “unified and successful organization.”
This position parallels one previously held by Hall of Fame coach Tom Coughlin between 2017 and 2019. However, Boselli is clear about his role; he does not aspire to oversee the entire franchise. “My job is not to pick players, my job is not to coach and surely my job is not to go play,” Boselli stated. “My job is to support the coach and the GM, and that’s what I’ll do.”
In his time as a player, Boselli was selected for the Pro Bowl five times during his seven seasons with the Jaguars. His career was relatively brief, which meant he needed to be a finalist six times before ultimately getting inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2022. A significant injury resulting from a poorly executed shoulder surgery cut short his playing career, preventing him from participating in games after being the top selection in the 2002 expansion draft made by Houston. Nevertheless, he holds the unique distinction of being the first pick in the history of two NFL franchises.
During his tenure with Jacksonville, Boselli was often regarded as one of the top left tackles in the league. He permitted just 15½ sacks over 91 games and earned three All-Pro honors from 1997 to 1999. He excelled against elite competition, successfully neutralizing renowned defensive players such as Reggie White, John Randle, Bruce Smith, and Jason Taylor.
Beyond his prowess on the field, Boselli was known as a leader in both the locker room and community, remaining closely connected to the organization for more than 20 years since his final game.
Khan praised Boselli, stating, “Few people have better relationships throughout the NFL, know the game, and understand the value of strong team identity and culture as well as Tony Boselli. Tony has a wealth of football acumen that we respect and need, and his counsel will be tremendously valuable to me and our football leadership team during this current rebirth and for many seasons to come.”
