Report: Colts Request To Speak to Jaguars’ Jim Bob Cooter for OC Role

Jim Bob Cooter keeps getting attention in the 2023 coaching cycle.

After interviewing with two other teams for offensive coordinator roles, Cooter has reportedly been requested by the Indianapolis Colts for an interview about their open coordinator position under new head coach Shane Steichen.

The #Colts are requesting #Jaguars passing game coordinator Jim Bob Cooter for their OC job under Shane Steichen, source said. He’s had several requests.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 16, 2023

Whether the Jaguars approve the request is another question. The Jaguars blocked offensive coordinator Press Taylor from speaking with the Baltimore Ravens about their coordinator position, while the Jaguars didn't block Cooter from speaking with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Whether the Jaguars see one of their top offensive assistants leave for a divisional rival will be an interesting situation to track.

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 in 2022, 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."