Advertisement

Jaguars' defensive coordinator, scouting director to participate in NFL Accelerator program

john reid, florida times-union
·2 min read
Mike Caldwell, the new defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as seen coaching the East Team at the 2020 East West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 18, 2020. Caldwell, at the time the linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was hired by new Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson in February 2022.
Mike Caldwell, the new defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars, as seen coaching the East Team at the 2020 East West Shrine Bowl on Jan. 18, 2020. Caldwell, at the time the linebackers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was hired by new Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson in February 2022.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and Regis Eller, the team's Pro Scouting director, will participate in the inaugural NFL Coach and Front Office Accelerator Program during the League's spring meetings starting Monday in Atlanta.

Caldwell and Eller will be among 60 diverse head coach and general manager prospects, including representation from all 32 franchises.

The two-day program is part of the NFL's push to improve diversity, equity and inclusion. It provides senior women and minority prospects direct networking opportunities and exposure to club owners, aiming to improve the hiring of these candidates for head coach and general manager positions.

Reunited: Former 49ers executive Ethan Waugh hired as assistant GM; more roster moves

Healing ahead: Doug Pederson trying to restore Jacksonville Jaguars players trust broken by Urban Meyer

Former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL, three franchises, and unidentified individuals on Feb. 1, alleging discrimination and racism in hiring practices.

Listed in the lawsuit, Flores said he took part in two "sham" interviews with the Giants and Broncos in an attempt to comply with the Rooney Rule.

The accelerator program will provide senior women and minority prospects with leadership development sessions with football operations experts and facilitators and time spent networking directly with club owners.

The program is designed to continue building a diverse hiring pipeline for future head coach and general manager positions throughout the League.

Each club nominated rising prospects to participate in the two-day Accelerator. In addition to leadership development and sessions on the business of football, attendees will engage in candid discussions on how to take the next step in becoming a coach or front office executive.

"The NFL is committed to diversity and inclusion. This program is the latest in a series of steps designed to improve our hiring practices," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. "The program ensures that clubs receive exposure to high performing, up-and-coming NFL talent."

Caldwell spent 15 years as an assistant coach in the NFL before landing his first defensive coordinator's job on Doug Pederson's staff with the Jaguars. Before entering coaching, Caldwell played 11 years as a linebacker in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, and Chicago Bears.

Eller is in his second season with the Jaguars as the director of pro scouting after spending 2016-2020 as the assistant director of pro scouting for the Los Angeles Chargers.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars Mike Caldwell, Regis Eller to participate in diversity program