By Dean Michaels

Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio had to make the playoffs this season to save his job. Jacksonville isn't going to the postseason and now Del Rio is not coaching the Jags either.

The Jaguars fired Del Rio on Tuesday after a 3-8 start.

In his ninth season and just the franchise's second coach, Del Rio entered the season with little to no job security as owner Wayne Weaver said the coach needed to make the playoffs to come back.

A 20-13 loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday just about ended Jacksonville's playoff hopes and Weaver decided to end Del Rio's tenure with the team.

Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker has been named the interim coach of the Jaguars, who scheduled a noon news conference to discuss the coaching situation.

Del Rio did not win the AFC South title in any of his nine season and posted a 69-73 record with the Jaguars, including 1-2 in two playoff appearances.

NFL 2011 - Jaguars Fire Coach Jack Del Rio After 3-8 Start