Meyer nears Jaguars deal
Report says former Ohio State coach trying to finalize a contract
Urban Meyer has won everywhere he’s coached. Small colleges. Big-time programs. He’s been a difference maker at each stop during his storied career.
He’s ready to try something new: the NFL.
Meyer agreed to become head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, leaving the broadcast booth and returning to the sidelines after a two-year absence that followed another health scare.
The 56-year-old Meyer was team owner Shad Khan’s top target for weeks, maybe even months, and the deal was signed shortly after their third and final meeting in seven days. They met last Friday on Khan’s yacht in Miami, again Wednesday and once more at the facility Thursday.
Hiring the longtime college coach with three national championships signifies a new direction for a franchise that has lost 105 of 144 games since Khan took over in 2012.
“This is a great day for Jacksonville and Jaguars fans everywhere,” Khan said in a statement. “Urban Meyer is who we want and need, a leader, winner and champion who demands excellence and produces results.
“While Urban already enjoys a legacy in the game of football that few will ever match, his passion for the opportunity in front of him here in Jacksonville is powerful and unmistakable.”
Meyer went 187-32 — a staggering winning percentage of 85.3 — in stops at Bowling Green (2001-02), Utah (2003-04), Florida (2005-10) and Ohio State (2012-18). He ranks seventh all time in collegiate winning percentage, trailing only Notre Dame legends Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy among coaches at major programs.
But some doubts remain about Meyer’s ability to make a smooth transition to the NFL, where motivational tactics tend to be moot and losing multiple games every year is a given. Meyer never lost more than five times in any season as a college head coach; he went 83-9 at Ohio State.
Still, Meyer has been eyeing an NFL move for months.
“I’ve analyzed this decision from every angle — the time is right in Jacksonville,“Meyer said in a statement. “And the time is right for me to return to coaching. I’m excited about the future of this organization and our long-term prospect for success.”
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is a lock to land in Jacksonville with the top pick and will be the centerpiece of the team’s latest rebuild.
Jets: New York completed its inperson second interview with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith on Thursday as their search for a head coach continues. Smith had a remote meeting with the Jets on Monday. The team flew him in Wednesday to meet with team chairman and CEO Christopher Johnson, team president Hymie Elhai and general manager Joe Douglas. The visit continued through Thursday morning before Smith left the team facility in Florham Park, New Jersey.
Steelers: Pittsburgh’s playoff flameout cost offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner, offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett and secondary coach Tom Bradley following a 48-37 loss to Cleveland on Sunday night.
Lions: Detroit agreed to terms with Brad Holmes to be its general manager.
Rams: Quarterback Jared Goff will start Los Angeles’ playoff game at Green Bay on Saturday.