DONE agreement: The spectacular super ace and the Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator have formally agreed to an agreement.

Shane Bowen and Chris Harris interview for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator

Some members of Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff are drawing interest around the league. Both Shane Bowen and Chris Harris have reportedly interviewed for the defensive coordinator position with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Bowen has been on the staff here since Mike Vrabel was hired in 2018. He started as the outside linebackers coach before becoming the defensive coordinator in 2021. This season the Tennessee Titans ranked 16th in scoring defense in 2023 allowing 21.6 points per game.

Bowen has also reportedly interviewed for the New York Giants defensive coordinator position.

Harris joined Vrabel’s staff in 2023 as the defensive backs coach. He was highly sought after around the league before signing here. In fact, he interviewed for a couple of defensive coordinator positions after agreeing to join the staff here last offseason. There is likely to be interest in keeping Harris on staff here from whoever the Titans eventually hire as their head coach.

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An in-depth look into each of the interviewed candidates for the Jaguars’ open defensive coordinator position

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator since relieving Mike Caldwell of his duties a week ago. With five interviews scheduled so far, we take a deep dive into each of the candidates:

Chris Harris

Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK

Currently the Tennessee Titans’ ‘defensive passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach’, Chris Harris is a rising star in coaching circles. A former NFL safety with 439 tackles in eight years in the league (including a year in Jacksonville to end his career in 2012), Harris immediately transitioned to a sideline role in 2013 – becoming a defensive quality control coach with the Chicago Bears.

Leaning on his innate knowledge of secondaries, it didn’t take long for Harris to move up the ranks, becoming an assistant DB coach with the (San Diego) Los Angeles Chargers in 2016. He was with the Bolts for four seasons, and by the time he was ready to move on the Chargers finished sixth in the league in overall defense, surrendering just 313.1 yards per game. The group also ranked fifth in the NFL in passing yards per game (200.3).

Harris headed to Wasington in 2020 to take the role of defensive backs coach. In three years in DC, the Commanders ranked eighth in the NFL in passing defense (213.1 yards allowed per game) and fourth in total defense (323.4 yards per game). Harris gained a reputation for player development, with his work with Kendall Fuller and rookie Benjamin St. Juste garnering praise in particular. Last year with the Titans was more challenging, with Tennessee finishing primarily in the middle of the pack for most defensive passing stats – although the 20 passing touchdowns allowed was eighth-best in the league.

Harris enjoyed a number of interviews for defensive coordinator roles last offseason, and came incredibly close to getting the role with the Green Bay Packers. Hallmarks of working with Gus Bradley at the Chargers are evident in Harris’ style of defense, with his secondaries notorious for playing aggressive, sticky man coverage.