The Jacksonville Jaguars' success under head coach Liam Coen has attracted plenty of national attention, and now one of the team's top assistants is receiving recognition as a potential future head coach.
In his latest ESPN column, analyst Ben Solak identified Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile as someone who could become one of the most sought-after head coaching candidates in 2027.
"I think ... Anthony Campanile is the head coach darling candidate of 2027," Solak wrote.
Solak's prediction comes as Jacksonville sits atop the AFC South at 5-2, with its defense continuing to establish itself as one of the NFL's best. According to Solak, the Jaguars rank third in expected points added (EPA) per drive and fourth in points allowed per drive since
the beginning of the 2025 season. And they've accomplished that without a single defensive player whose contract ranks among the 10 most expensive at his position, which Solak argued only further proves how good Campanile has been as defensive coordinator.
He also said Campanile's success goes beyond the statistics. He highlighted Campanile's ability to develop players, pointing to linebacker Devin Lloyd's breakout 2025 campaign, along with the progress made by Quay Walker and Edgerrin Cooper in Green Bay.
Campanile's experience working under several different defensive minds, including Brian Flores and Vic Fangio in Miami, also helped him develop an adaptable scheme. Solak explained that Jacksonville blends aggressive pressure concepts with split-field zone coverages, using movement along the defensive front to create favorable matchups, with impressive results.
The Jaguars led the NFL in rushing defense in 2025, allowing just 85.6 yards per game. Through seven games in 2026, they've improved that figure to a league-best 77.4 yards per game.
Solak noted that Jacksonville uses light defensive boxes at the seventh-highest rate in the NFL, while still ranking first in rushing defense by success rate. Rather than relying on consistently loading the box, Campanile has found ways to maximize the personnel available to him.
The ability to shift and adapt could be helpful now more than ever, as Jacksonville lost two defensive starters, DaVon Hamilton and Eric Murray, to season-ending injuries during Sunday's 42-7 victory over the Indianapolis Colts. Hamilton has been a critical part of the Jaguars' dominance against the run, while Murray's absence creates additional challenges in the secondary.
Yet even with those injuries, the Jaguars' defense delivered another dominant performance against Indianapolis, forcing three turnovers, recording four sacks and limiting running back Jonathan Taylor to just 23 rushing yards. For Solak, navigating those losses while maintaining Jacksonville's defensive success could further strengthen Campanile's head-coaching résumé.
"He puts his players in winning spots," Solak wrote.
This isn't the first time Campanile has attracted attention. After Jacksonville's 13-4 season and AFC South championship last year, Campanile interviewed for head-coaching vacancies with the Baltimore Ravens, Miami Dolphins, and Arizona Cardinals. He was reportedly a finalist for the Arizona position before ultimately agreeing to remain with Jacksonville for the 2026 season.
Offensive coordinator Grant Udinski also drew head-coaching interest last offseason, and there has been some buzz that he could again be a top prospect in 2027.
For now, Campanile's focus remains on a Jacksonville defense that has helped turn the Jaguars into legitimate AFC contenders. And if Solak's assessment proves accurate, another strong season could make keeping him in Jacksonville significantly more difficult.
This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: ESPN names Jaguars' Anthony Campanile top head coaching candidate
