Hines-Allen said his decision to train in Jacksonville this offseason was based on “a lot of different things,” including Coen’s hiring.
Brad White, outside linebackers coach at the University of Kentucky in 2018 – Hines-Allen’s final season there – has been the school’s outside linebackers coach/defensive coordinator the past six seasons. That included the 2023 season when Coen was the Wildcats’ offensive coordinator.
“Coach White, who I love dearly, called me and was like, ‘Yeah, you’re going to be there (the offseason program),’ ” Hines-Allen said. “That’s something I already had in the back of my mind of coming back and doing it no matter who we would have had, because I’ve got big goals that I need to do.
“Again, it’s all about adapting and figuring out what works. This year, I thought coming to OTAs would be a good time for me, and it’s paying off pretty well.”
Hines-Allen, who said he is significantly lighter than where he played last season, said his goals for ’25 include more than just the two sacks needed to reach Tony Brackens’ Jaguars career record of 55. As he has said multiple times in recent offseasons, he wants to be an All-Pro selection and win Defensive Player of the Year.
“I want to be in a dominant mindset,” he said.
Hines-Allen toward that end has focused on his weight this offseason after playing last season at a career-high 285 pounds.