Philip Rivers Withdraws From Bills Head Coaching Opportunity
Philip Rivers withdraws from Bills head coaching consideration after an interview, returning to coaching at an Alabama high school.
Grant Andrew Udinski (born January 12, 1996) is an American professional football coach and former college player, currently serving as the offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.[1][2] Born in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, he excelled at Central Bucks High School West, earning all-conference honors in football and lacrosse as a two-time all-conference player, while also captaining the Bucks County North All-Star team.[1][3] Udinski began college football at Davidson as a freshman tight end in 2014, recording one reception for 10 yards in 10 games.[1][3] He transferred to Towson University, switching to defensive end, where he played from 2017-2018, amassing 43 tackles, 4.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and six quarterback hurries over two seasons, earning CoSIDA Academic All-American honors with a 3.94 GPA.[1][5] After graduating in 2018, Udinski launched his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Baylor in 2019 under Matt Rhule, aiding an 11-3 season and Big 12 Championship Game appearance despite initially living in his car.[1][4] He joined the NFL in 2020 as a coaching assistant with the Carolina Panthers for two seasons (5-12 and 5-11 records).[2][7] In 2022, Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hired him as assistant to the head coach/special projects, praising his "unbelievable" football understanding.[1][4] Promotions followed: assistant quarterbacks coach/chief of special projects in 2023 (7-10 record), and assistant offensive coordinator/assistant quarterbacks coach in 2024 (14-3 record), where he mentored QBs like Sam Darnold to a Pro Bowl season with 4,319 yards, 35 TDs, and a 102.5 rating.[2][4] Hired by the Jaguars on February 5, 2025, as offensive coordinator, Udinski led a 13-4 regular season and playoffs (0-1), guiding QB Trevor Lawrence to 4,007 yards and 29 TDs.[2][4][8] At 29 during his rise, he is viewed as a top young coaching talent.[8]
Philip Rivers withdraws from Bills head coaching consideration after an interview, returning to coaching at an Alabama high school.
The Cleveland Browns wrap up Grant Udinski's second head coach interview as they eye an offensive revival amid quarterback debates.