Urban renewal arrives as Jags hire new coach
Urban Meyer has been hired as the next coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team announced Thursday.
“Urban Meyer is who we want and need, a leader, a winner and champion who demands excellence and produces results,” Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. “I am proud to name Urban Meyer the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
ESPN reported Meyer met with the Jacksonville brass again on Thursday. The final negotiation points included long-term deals for Meyer's assistant coaches and an upgrade to team facilities, per the report.
It's expected Meyer will be paid in the range of US$12 million a year.
Meyer, 56, compiled a 187-32 record in 17 seasons as a college head coach, winning three national championships. Two of those titles came down the road from Jacksonville at the University of Florida. He grabbed a third title at Ohio State, where he was 83-9 over seven seasons.
He retired after the 2018 seasons and has been working as a college football analyst for FOX Sports.
The Jaguars fired Doug Marrone after four-plus seasons a day after the 2020 season ended. The Jaguars finished the season at 1-15.
Jacksonville has some attractive assets for the new coach. They own the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, which is expected to be Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, and are projected to be US$75 million under the salary cap.
The Jags also have the Rams' No. 1 pick from the Jalen Ramsey trade, as well as the Nos. 33 and 45 selections.
LIONS HIRE NEW GM, PANTHERS TOO?
A day after the Denver Broncos hired George Paton as new GM, the Detroit Lions announced they have agreed to terms with a new GM: Brad Holmes, who spent the past 18 seasons with the Rams franchise, most recently as director of college scouting.
The Carolina Panthers announced late Thursday afternoon they have offered their GM job to Scott Fitterer, the Seattle Seahawks' VP of football operations.
EXTRA POINTS
Jared Goff will start at QB for the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday in Green Bay. John Wolford (neck injury) has been ruled out … Alabama QB Mac Jones declared for April's draft … Pittsburgh let go three assistant coaches, most significantly offensive co-ordinator Randy Fichtner. Also out: Shaun Sarrett (offensive line) and Tom Bradley (defensive backs). That's two of six weekend playoff losers on the hunt now for a new offensive co-ordinator (Seattle too).