Jessie Bates on Jaguars’ DC Ryan Nielsen: ‘I Think He’ll Be a Head Coach One Day’

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen might be the biggest offseason addition the Jacksonville Jaguars made in 2024.

But if things go right, he may not even be there for long.

Nielsen is regarded as one of the best defensive line teachers and top rising stars in the coaching ranks in the NFL, at least on the defensive side. And if it was up to Atlanta Falcons safety Jessie Bates III, Nielsen will be a head coach sooner than later.

“Very happy for him to continue to prolong his great career,” Bates told Juston Lewis of the Florida Times-Union at the Pro Bowl this weekend. “I think he’ll be a head coach one day.”

Bates only played for Nielsen for one season, but it resulted in a career season with six interceptions, three forced fumbles, 11 pass deflections, three tackles for loss, and 132 tackles.

“Ryan was somebody I came in with into an unknown situation. [I] wasn’t sure what to expect but he made it feel like home,” Bates said. “He made me feel very comfortable in his defense. The way he coaches, it pushed me to become a better player and a better person, a better father, all of that.”

“He knew what my strengths were. Knew what my weaknesses were as well. Having a guy that kind of pushes your mindset. Sometimes it don’t come out nice, and that’s sometimes what you need from good coaches. That’s what good coaches do.”

Nielsen, who just spent his first year as defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons, was one of the Jaguars' early targets before the Falcons blocked their interview request. Eventually, the Falcons lifted the restriction, ultimately leading to Nielsen becoming Pederson's new defensive coordinator.

Nielsen, 44, just finished his first year with the Falcons as defensive coordinator, with the Falcons finishing No. 18 in points allowed, No. 12 in EPA/Play, No. 5 in success rate, and No. 1 in rushing EPA/Play.

Nielsen has been in the NFL since 2017, when the New Orleans Saints hired him from NC State. After four years as the Saints' defensive line coach, Nielsen was promoted to assistant head coach in 2021 and then co-defensive coordinator in 2022. Nielsen was also looked at by LSU as a defensive coordinator candidate in 2021.

"He has the rare ability to both teach and connect with his players. He builds lasting, two-way relationships predicated on trust. He establishes accountability, first from himself, then the players," Pederson said after Nielsen's hiring. "What I've most admired about Ryan's defenses -- and we saw this in London back in October -- was their shared intensity and enthusiasm to get the job done and impact the game."

The Jaguars started looking for a new defensive coordinator after firing former coordinator Mike Caldwell the day after the 2023 season ended. The Jaguars also fired seven other defensive assistants, leaving only three of Pederson's 11 defensive staff members left.