The foundation for a successful NFL season is often laid in the quiet months of the offseason, long before the first snap of training camp. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, fresh off an AFC South championship, that foundation is being built not with blockbuster free agent signings, but with a commitment to stability. In a move that signals confidence and a clear vision for the future, head coach Liam Coen confirmed today that both offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile will return for the 2026 season.
The announcement, made directly by the team, ends any speculation about potential changes to the Jaguars' leadership structure and firmly plants a flag for continuity. In a league where coordinator turnover is often as common as the changing of the seasons, the Jaguars are betting that keeping their brain trust intact is the fastest route back to the playoffs and beyond.
"Continuity is everything," Coen stated in the team's official release. "What Grant and Anthony have built here, the culture they've helped instill in their rooms, and the schemes our players have mastered--that's not something you throw away. We're building something special, and keeping this staff together is a critical part of that process as we look to build on what we accomplished last season."
That accomplishment, of course, was the 2025 AFC South title, the franchise's first division crown in several years. It was a season defined by resilience, marked by a potent offense that could strike from anywhere and a defense that grew stiffer as the year progressed. The decision to retain both coordinators is a direct endorsement of their roles in that success.
On the offensive side of the ball, Grant Udinski's first year calling plays was a revelation. Tasked with implementing Coen's offensive philosophy and tailoring it to the talents of quarterback Trevor Lawrence (#16), Udinski engineered a unit that was both explosive and efficient. The Jaguars' offense consistently ranked among the league's best in scoring and big-play percentage, showcasing a diverse attack that leveraged Lawrence's arm talent, a dynamic running back committee led by Travis Etienne (#1), and a receiver corps that posed matchup nightmares for opposing secondaries. Udinski's play-calling, particularly in critical late-game and red-zone situations, displayed a maturity beyond his years of experience in the role. His return ensures that Lawrence and the offensive starters will not have to learn a new system, a priceless advantage that allows for refinement rather than reboot.
"Grant has an incredible feel for the game and for our personnel," Coen noted. "The growth we saw from Week 1 to the playoffs was significant. Having him back means we can start in March where we left off in January, adding layers and complexities instead of starting from page one."
Defensively, Anthony Campanile has quietly constructed one of the most formidable and versatile units in the conference. His aggressive, multiple-front scheme maximized the talents of a young and athletic defense. Under Campanile's guidance, players like edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah (#90) and linebacker Devin Lloyd ascended to new heights, while the secondary developed into a ball-hawking group that thrived on creating turnovers. The defense's ability to adapt week-to-week, presenting different looks to confuse opposing quarterbacks, became a hallmark of the 2025 Jaguars. Campanile's fiery leadership and detailed preparation resonated deeply with his players, fostering a unit that played with a palpable collective identity.
"Anthony brings an intensity and a strategic mind that is invaluable," Coen said. "Our defense took on his personality--tough, smart, and relentless. The continuity on that side of the ball is just as important. These players have bought into his system completely, and we expect that unit to take another step forward together."
The strategic implications of this decision are vast. In an AFC South that is perpetually competitive, the Jaguars have chosen the path of evolution over revolution. While division rivals may be introducing new coordinators and schemes, Jacksonville's players will be spending the offseason mastering nuances, building deeper chemistry, and executing at a higher level of precision. For a young core that has tasted success, this stability is the ideal environment for growth.
Furthermore, this move sends a powerful message in the locker room and across the league. It tells players that the organization believes in the direction set by this coaching staff. For pending free agents, it's a compelling reason to consider re-signing with Jacksonville, knowing the system and expectations will remain constant. For potential free agent targets from other teams, the stability and recent success of the coaching staff is a significant selling point.
The return of Udinski and Campanile also solidifies Liam Coen's leadership. Now entering his third season at the helm, Coen has his trusted lieutenants firmly in place. This trio has weathered the storm of a first-year installation, celebrated a division title, and now has the shared experience of a playoff run to learn from. Their collective vision for Jaguars football is now undisputed, allowing for a unified and focused approach to the 2026 campaign.
Of course, continuity does not mean complacency. The challenge for Udinski, Campanile, and their staffs will be to innovate within their established frameworks. Opponents will have a full year of tape to study. The league is a copycat business, and successful schemes are inevitably dissected and countered. The true test of this staff will be its ability to stay one step ahead, to add new wrinkles, and to develop the next wave of young talent on the roster.
As the Jaguars turn their attention to free agency and the draft, they do so with a crystal-clear blueprint. The front office, led by General Manager James Gladstone, can now evaluate and acquire players with the specific needs and fits of these offensive and defensive systems in mind. There is no guesswork about philosophical alignment. The mission is to provide these coaches with the tools to refine a championship-caliber product.
For Jaguars fans, today's news should be a source of excitement and reassurance. The thrill of free agent splashes is still to come, but the most important signing of the offseason might just be the one that never hits the transaction wire. By securing their coaching continuity, the Jacksonville Jaguars have made a statement: the work is not finished. The foundation from 2025 is solid, and in 2026, they intend to build something even greater upon it. The hunt in the AFC South continues, and the Jaguars are keeping their best hunters right where they are.