Jaguars announce Doug Marrone will remain head coach in 2020

The Jacksonville Jaguars emphatically denied a report over the weekend that they were planning to fire head coach Doug Marrone following the team’s Week 17 game, and now we know why.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement on Tuesday that he is retaining Marrone and the rest of Jacksonville’s coaching staff. He called the results of the 2019 season “unacceptable” and said he has communicated his dissatisfaction to Marrone and others, but the bottom line is there will be no coaching change at this time.

Khan also revealed that the role of executive vice president of football operations, which was previously held by Tom Coughlin, will not be filled. Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell will report directly to Khan.

New #Jaguars structure: “As part of our new framework, the position of Executive Vice President of Football Operations will not be filled in 2020. Dave and Doug will each continue to report directly to (Khan). https://t.co/bwWMrjFO6R

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2019

ESPN’s Dianna Russini reported on Saturday that Marrone had been informed he will be dismissed following the Jaguars’ season finale, but Khan quickly denied that and said he was planning to hold meetings with Marrone and the other members of Jacksonville’s coaching staff and front office.

The Jaguars have gone 11-21 since their run to the AFC Championship Game in 2017. Marrone is now 22-28 in the regular season and 2-1 in the postseason with the team. If Jacksonville gets off to a slow start in 2020, he may be fired early in the year.