Doug Marrone adds former Syracuse coaches to Jaguars staff

When we last left the JamesJacksonville-Dewitt area, “Saint” Doug Marrone was continuing to turn Duval County, Fla. into Syracuse South. In the last few days, the former Syracuse Orange-now-Jacksonville Jaguars coach has grown that trend even more.

First, it was Tyrone Wheatley, who previously worked with Marrone at SU and then the Buffalo Bills. The several-time running backs coach left the same post at Michigan on Sunday to join the Jags’ staff.

On Wednesday, Nathaniel Hackett was the next former Marrone staffer to join him down in Jacksonville.

Hackett, who served as Syracuse’s offensive coordinator from 2011-12, was Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator to close the 2016 season after being promoted from quarterbacks coach. He was QBs coach for 2015 and most of 2016 for the Jaguars. He also served as OC for the Bills from 2013-14.

There are still plenty of spots remaining on Marrone’s staff, so who knows how many more former Orange associates he could bring along with him. Bringing most of the SU staff to Buffalo seemed to have mixed results last time around, so at least Marrone seems to be mixing it up a little (just two of the seven other coaches right now have Syracuse ties).

It’s unlikely the Jags change their uniforms just for Marrone. But if they put any consideration into it, we already have a design that may work out pretty well (and most accurately).

#SaintDoug and fellow SU alum Tom Coughlin have a lot of work ahead of them this offseason to get the Jaguars into contention. With Ryan Nassib being a free agent, it would be a shock if he’s not at least pursued by Marrone & Co. as an alternative to current QB Blake Bortles.