Report: Panthers, Frank Reich Request To Interview Jaguars’ Assistant Jim Bob Cooter

Jim Bob Cooter had a successful first year as passing game coordinator in Jacksonville, leading to his second request for an offensive coordinator interview.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have one popular assistant this interview cycle: Passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who the Carolina Panthers have reportedly requested to speak to about their open offensive coordinator position. 

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Cooter will be considered along with Detroit Lions assistant head coach Duce Staley for the open position on Reich's staff. The Panthers hired Reich last week to replace Matt Rhule.

This is Cooter's second coordinator interview request this cycle after being interviewed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the same role in January.

The Jaguars' offense was No. 10 in points per game, No. 6 in passing EPA/Play, No. 4 in passing success rate, and No. 6 in passing DVOA, while Trevor Lawrence also earned a nod as a Pro Bowl replacement for Patrick Mahomes. 

Cooter, if hired, would be the second offensive assistant to depart Doug Pederson's staff after the Jaguars fielded a top-10 offense in 2022. Wide receivers coach Chris Jackson left in January for a role with the Texas Longhorns as receivers coach and passing game coordinator.

"Jim Bob as a pass game coordinator can assist the coordinator. He can assist -- it's just another way of looking at it without coaching a position, right," Pederson said in February when describing Cooter's role with the Jaguars' offense. "It's another way of breaking down defenses, help Press wherever he needs help. He can assist in the tight end room or the receiver room or wherever it might be, and then also help us with game planning."

"But look, the way I call plays, it's still a very collaborative approach. It's me and Press game day. We're sitting there talking and he's giving me ideas and suggestions, and I'm going to -- Press is probably going to take some stuff from Jim Bob Cooter, Mike McCoy, they're going to get together between series. That's how this whole thing works on game day. At the end of the day it's coming together and making the right call at the right time, and then of course just teaching our players."