Jacksonville Jaguars
In 1989, a group called Touchdown Jacksonville formed with the goal of bringing an NFL team to Florida. The National Football League announced plans in 1991 to add two new expansion teams. By 1994, Jacksonville had become one of five finalists competing for the second franchise spot. Charlotte won the first bid in October 1993, becoming the Carolina Panthers. The decision for the second city remained delayed by one month. St. Louis was initially considered the favorite to win the franchise. On the 21st of February 1994, the league owners voted 26, 2 to award the 30th franchise to Jacksonville. This vote marked the beginning of professional football history in the city.
The Jaguars participated in the 1995 NFL expansion draft to build their initial roster. They alternated picks with the Carolina Panthers from lists of unprotected players provided by existing franchises. Tom Coughlin was hired as the first head coach on that same day in February 1994. Their first pick in franchise history was the second overall selection used on Tony Boselli out of USC. The team played its first regular season game on the 3rd of September 1995, losing 10, 3 to the Houston Oilers. Randy Jordan caught the first touchdown in franchise history during Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals. It was a 71-yard reception thrown by quarterback Steve Beuerlein. The team finished their inaugural year with a 4, 12 record.
Tom Coughlin served as the first head coach from 1995 through 2002. He compiled an overall record of 72 wins and 64 losses over his seven-year tenure. The Jaguars made the playoffs four times under his leadership between seasons two and five. They won two division titles and appeared in two AFC Championship Games during this period. Jack Del Rio took over as the second head coach following the 2002 season. He held the position until 2011, making him the longest-tenured coach in franchise history. Del Rio led the team back to the postseason in 2005 with a 12, 4 finish.
Mike Mularkey became the third head coach prior to the 2012 season but only lasted one year. The team went 2, 14 that year, marking the worst season in franchise history at the time. Gus Bradley was hired before the 2013 season and coached until 2016. Doug Marrone served as full-time head coach from 2017 through 2020. His 2017 team won the AFC South with a 10, 6 mark and reached the AFC Championship Game. Urban Meyer was hired for the 2021 season but was fired after a 2, 11 start. He became only the fourth head coach since the AFL-NFL merger to not finish a full season. Doug Pederson took over starting in 2022 and was fired on the 6th of January 2025, after three seasons. Liam Coen was hired on the 24th of January 2025, becoming the first rookie head coach to take a team from 4, 13 the previous season to 13, 4.
The day after the NFL awarded the expansion team to Jacksonville, owner Wayne Weaver displayed a silver helmet and teal jersey at an owners meeting in Chicago. The original design featured a gold leaping jaguar across both shoulders. Ford Motor Company believed this logo resembled their own brand too closely. Lawyers negotiated an agreement where Jaguar would become the official car of the Jaguars while the team redesigned their uniforms. The new logo showed a snarling jaguar head with a teal tongue. This change came about partly because Weaver claimed it was his wife's touch.
In February 2013, Shahid Khan introduced a new brand identity that included a fiercer and more realistic jaguar head logo. The secondary logo incorporated the shield shape as a tribute to Jacksonville's military community. Beginning in 2013, the team began featuring gold more prominently than before. From 2009 to 2012, gold had only been used in the logo itself. On the 23rd of April 2013, Nike unveiled new uniforms designed for the franchise. These jerseys featured a glossy gold finish on the back of the helmet fading to matte black in front. In November 2015, Jacksonville introduced an all-gold second alternative uniform for four games during Thursday Night Football. On the 18th of July 2024, the team unveiled throwback teal Prowler uniforms based on styles worn from 1995 to 2008.
EverBank Stadium has served as the home of the Jaguars since their first season in 1995. It is located on the north bank of the St. Johns River with a capacity of 67,814 seats. The stadium hosted Super Bowl XXXIX and five Jaguar playoff games including the 1999 AFC Championship Game. From 1995 to 1997 and again from 2006 to 2009, it was named Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Between 1997 and 2006, the venue operated under the name Alltel Stadium. EverBank purchased naming rights prior to the 2010 season before TIAA Bank took over before the 2018 season.
A substantial upgrade occurred in 2014 costing $63 million total. Owner Shahid Khan helped finance $20 million of these improvements. New scoreboards measuring high and long were installed along with pools and cabana seating. Two by two pools were added in the north end zone alongside premium field-level seats. These new scoreboards became the world's largest video boards at the time. The stadium also hosted the ACC Championship Game from 2005 to 2007 and the River City Showdown events in 2007 and 2008.
The Jaguars maintain main rivalries with three other teams in the AFC South division: the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans. They also hold geographic rivalries with Florida-based teams like the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. During mid-1990s and early 2000s AFC Central days, Jacksonville had a notable rivalry with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams frequently competed for playoff contention during that era. The rivalry intensified again when both franchises joined different divisions in the 2000s and 2010s.
The competition against the Indianapolis Colts is considered one of the most heated in the AFC South. Since 2015, the Jaguars have maintained a home winning streak against them including a stretch between 2019 and 2022 where they compiled a record of 6, 30. Four victories occurred specifically against the Colts during this period. The team defeated the Bills 10, 3 in an ugly Wild Card game in 2017 which was the first Bills playoff appearance in 17 seasons. A brawl broke out during Week 12 of the 2018 season following trash talk from former players like Jalen Ramsey. The Buffalo Bills currently lead the series 11, 10 but the Jaguars lead postseason meetings 2, 1.
Jaxson de Ville has served as the Jaguars mascot since his introduction in 1996. He entertains crowds before and during games with dramatic entrances involving bungee jumping off stadium lights or parachuting into the venue. Curtis Dvorak played the role from inception until retirement in June 2015. In 1998, Jaxson's antics led to changes in NFL mascot rules after he got into trouble. An the 22nd of October 2007 game against Indianapolis resulted in another reprimand when Colts President Bill Polian complained.
The Jacksonville Roar cheerleading squad was established in 1995 alongside the team's inaugural year. Members perform choreographed routines during home contests while also serving as goodwill ambassadors. They participate in corporate community and charitable events throughout the Jacksonville metropolitan area. The group joins NFL tours to entertain American servicemen and women around the world. The Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation gave over $20 million to area efforts since its establishment in 1994. It focuses on initiatives like Honor Rows anti-tobacco programs and support for veterans. The foundation grants over $1 million annually to organizations assisting economically disadvantaged youth.
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Common questions
When was the Jacksonville Jaguars franchise officially awarded to Jacksonville?
The league owners voted 26, 2 to award the 30th franchise to Jacksonville on the 21st of February 1994. This vote marked the beginning of professional football history in the city.
Who was the first head coach hired for the Jacksonville Jaguars and when did he start?
Tom Coughlin was hired as the first head coach on the 21st of February 1994. He served as the first head coach from 1995 through 2002 with an overall record of 72 wins and 64 losses over his seven-year tenure.
What is the capacity of EverBank Stadium where the Jacksonville Jaguars play their home games?
EverBank Stadium has a capacity of 67,814 seats and serves as the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars since their first season in 1995. The stadium is located on the north bank of the St. Johns River.
Which team defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 10, 3 in their first regular season game?
The Houston Oilers defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 10, 3 in the team's first regular season game on the 3rd of September 1995. Randy Jordan caught the first touchdown in franchise history during Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
When did Liam Coen become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars after Doug Pederson was fired?
Liam Coen was hired on the 24th of January 2025 to take over the team following Doug Pederson's firing on the 6th of January 2025. He became the first rookie head coach to take a team from 4, 13 the previous season to 13, 4.