Sport(s) Football 1989–1991 East Carolina (TE/AOL) Titles Offensive coordinator 1987–1988 LSU (GA) Positions Fullback | 1986 Northern Illinois (OL) Role American football player 1981–1984 Wisconsin–Whitewater Name Jeff Jagodzinski Conference Sun Belt Conference | |
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Born October 12, 1963 (age 60)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin ( 1963-10-12 ) 1985 Wisconsin–Whitewater (RB) Education University of Wisconsin–Whitewater Team Georgia State Panthers football | ||
Jeff Jagodzinski on the RU-USF Halftime Show
Jeff Jagodzinski (born October 12, 1963) is an American football coach and former player. Jagodzinski was most recently assistant coach for the Georgia State University Panthers football team.
Contents
- Jeff Jagodzinski on the RU USF Halftime Show
- Playing career and family
- Early coaching experience
- NFL experience
- Boston College
- Tampa Bay
- Omaha Nighthawks
- Return to college coaching
- Coaching tree
- References
Jagodzinski is best known for serving as the head football coach at the Boston College in 2007 and 2008, leading the Eagles to a record of 20–8 and consecutive appearances in the ACC Championship Game. In 2010, he was the head coach of the United Football League's Omaha Nighthawks.
Jagodzinski has coached in college football and the National Football League for more than 20 years.
Playing career and family
A graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, Jagodzinski played collegiately, starting three years at fullback. He was all-conference at West Allis Central High School in Wisconsin. He is married with five children.
Early coaching experience
Jagodzinski began his coaching career as the running back coach for the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in 1985. He was the offensive line coach for Northern Illinois University in 1986. He held a Graduate Assistant position with LSU from 1987 through 1988. In 1989, he became the tight ends/assistant offensive line coach for East Carolina University and remained in that position until 1996. In 1997 and 1998 he served as the offensive coordinator/offensive line coach at Boston College.
NFL experience
Jagodzinski made the transition to the National Football League (NFL) in 1999, becoming the tight ends coach for the Green Bay Packers under head coach Ray Rhodes. Rhodes and most of his staff was fired after that season, but new head coach Mike Sherman kept Jagodzinski until 2003 when he was released. He was quickly picked up by the Atlanta Falcons to be the offensive line coach.
Jagodzinski was hired by Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy on January 15, 2006 to replace offensive coordinator Tom Rossley. He was the fifth individual to hold the title of Packers offensive coordinator. Jagodzinski joined Paul Roach (1975–76), Lindy Infante (1988–91), Sherman Lewis (1992–99), and Tom Rossley (2000–05). Bob Schnelker (1969–71), John Polonchek (1972–74), Lew Carpenter (1975–79), and Tom Coughlin (1986–87) served as passing game coordinators on staffs that didn't necessarily carry an offensive coordinator.
During his time with the Atlanta Falcons, Jagodzinski learned offensive zone blocking schemes from Alex Gibbs, the architect of successful NFL offensive lines such as the Denver Broncos that won Super Bowl XXXII.
Boston College
Jagodzinski was named head coach at Boston College in January 2007 to replace Tom O'Brien. In his first year at BC, he led the Eagles to an 11–3 record, a #10 finish in the polls and an ACC Atlantic Division Championship. At one point in the season, the Eagles were ranked second in the Bowl Championship Series standings. Along with Steve Logan, Jagodzinski brought a high flying offensive attack which was very different from Tom O'Brien's short passing game style. He has been nicknamed "Jags" by BC fans and the media. In his first season at BC produced two First Round talents: Matt Ryan and Gosder Cherilus.
Following the 2008 season, Jagodzinski interviewed for the vacant New York Jets head coaching job, despite being warned not to do so by athletic director Gene DeFilippo. He interviewed for the position, and was fired the next day. He only completed two years of his five-year contract with Boston College. The Jets ultimately hired Rex Ryan, who was previously the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach for the Baltimore Ravens.
Tampa Bay
Jagodzinski was hired as the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on January 29, 2009 following the promotion of Raheem Morris, who had been elevated to head coach following Jon Gruden's departure. On September 3, 2009, the day before the team's final preseason game, the Buccaneers announced that they had dismissed Jagodzinski from his role and replaced him with quarterbacks coach Greg Olson. The firing came due to concerns about Jagodzinski's ability to communicate plays in a timely manner. Morris offered to let him stay on as quarterbacks coach, but Jagodzinski declined.
Omaha Nighthawks
On April 15, 2010, when the United Football League announced the franchise which would be known as the Omaha Nighthawks, Jagodzinski was introduced as the team's first head coach.
He was fired January 3, 2011 after posting a 3-5 record in his lone campaign with the league. The Nighthawks started 3-1 yet finished 0-4 in the final weeks of the 2010 UFL season. He was immediately replaced by Joe Moglia, chairman and former CEO of TD Ameritrade, which is based in Omaha.
Return to college coaching
After serving a season as wide receiver coach at Ave Maria University, he took the position of offensive coordinator at Georgia State University under Trent Miles.
Coaching tree
Assistants under Jeff Jagodzinski who have become NCAA or NFL head coaches: