Jaguars hire Mark Collins as linebackers coach

Atlanta Falcons defensive end Kroy Biermann (71) works with linebackers coach Mark Collins during a NFL football practice, Wednesday, May 28, 2014, in Flowery Branch, Ga. (John Bazemore/AP)

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have hired Mark Collins as linebackers coach.

Collins, entering his 18th year as a coach and eighth in the NFL, joins the Jaguars after a two-year stint as the outside linebackers coach with the New York Jets.

Collins also spent four seasons with the Atlanta Falcons (2010-14). Before that, Collins worked 11 years at the collegiate level, with stops at Louisiana-Monroe, Georgia, Georgia Southern, Elon, Michigan and at his alma mater, East Tennessee State.

Jaguars executive vice-president of football operations Tom Coughlin says Collins’ “aggressive, takeaway-focused mentality will be an invaluable asset to our organization as we look to establish a winning attitude.”

Collins inherits a linebacker group that includes veteran Paul Posluszny, Telvin Smith and Myles Jack.

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