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The process has begun. We’ve heard rumors of a “mystery NFL coach” being in the running (not Jon Gruden) and this would certain fit that bill. According to Manish Mehta — who covers the Jets for the New York Daily News — Tennessee is interested in Jets defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers.
Rodgers played at the University of Tennessee from 1988-1991, so that’s likely where the connection stems from.
He began his coaching career at Tennessee-Martin, coaching the defensive line. Rodgers worked his way up to MTSU and then Arkansas, holding the same position. He made the jump to the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys in 2003. He coached the Cowboys’ defensive line until 2008, when he moved over to the Dolphins. The Jets hired him as defensive coordinator back in 2015, where he’s been ever since.
Rodgers is 48 years old.
I’ve got to say, this would be an odd hire. Rodgers coached defensive line for 21 years before getting a coordinator job. We have no idea how he would be as a head coach — much less in college.