JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan appears unfazed by the unproven credentials of his new leadership team. Over the past month, Khan has appointed several individuals to key positions: Liam Coen, at 39, assumes his first role as head coach; James Gladstone, at 34, emerges as general manager; and Tony Boselli, at 52, steps in as executive vice president. Joining this wave of fresh faces are offensive coordinator Grant Udinski, 29, and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile, 42, both of whom are stepping into these roles for the first time.
By choosing such young talent, Khan is taking a significant risk. Yet, he’s hopeful that this decision will steer the franchise toward a brighter future amid a record of ten losing seasons during his 13-year ownership. “Even though they might be in the position for the first time, I think collectively they’re going to have great success,” Khan expressed Monday while welcoming Gladstone. “We recognize they’re new, but the potential to truly grow into these roles is immense.”
Khan also introduced his team to the “Peter Principle,” a theory suggesting that employees are prone to receiving promotions until they reach a point of incompetence. “I asked everyone, including our coaching staff in new positions, to be mindful of this concept,” Khan noted, but he remains optimistic that this won’t materialize.
“This team has neural capacity, diverse experience, and these attributes complement each other well,” Khan elaborated. “With this team of football enthusiasts and executives, success is imminent. Nobody is perfect, and longevity isn’t the sole indicator of competence.”
Gladstone, who at 34 is the second-youngest general manager in NFL history, joins from the Rams, having spent nine years under GM Les Snead. Gladstone’s journey was unconventional; he transitioned from being an offensive coordinator at Clayton High School near St. Louis to his new NFL role, earning the Snead family’s attention by coaching their son.
Gladstone’s approach diverges from typical NFL strategies. “I bring a fresh perspective and a deep comprehension of modern tools and systems transforming the sport,” he stated, emphasizing his focus on integrating new efficiencies and assessing team insights. Gladstone aims to “prioritize people and players that are intangibly rich,” believing they will naturally enhance the team’s environment.
Khan is undeterred in his quest for change. Previous ventures with experienced coaches and executives (notably Mike Mularkey, Doug Marrone, Trent Baalke, Doug Pederson, Tom Coughlin) haven’t yielded lasting success. Attempts at innovation, such as pairing first-time GM Dave Caldwell with Gus Bradley or hiring college coaching icon Urban Meyer, have seen mixed results.
This time, the focus is on Boselli, a Hall of Fame left tackle, along with Coen and Gladstone, as they seek a longer-lasting transformation. “Success isn’t about any single person,” Boselli remarked. “There are no egos or hidden agendas, just the commitment to winning games. That will remain our focus.”
