Urban Meyer (right) will be the next coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, while Jets hire Robert Saleh.
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.
“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 longterm prospect for success.”
Jets pick 49ers’ Saleh
The New York Jets
reached an agreement in principle with 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to hire him as their head coach.
Saleh replaces Adam Gase, who was fired by on Jan. 3 after going 9-23 in two seasons.
The 41-year-old Saleh emerged as the favorite for the Jets job when he was brought in for a second — and this time, in-person — interview Tuesday night, and those discussions extended into Wednesday.
Saleh, recognized as an energetic leader who is well liked by his players, had been the 49ers’ defensive coordinator under Kyle Shanahan since 2017, overseeing San Francisco’s defense that ranked No. 2 overall on the way to the Super Bowl last season.
GM landing spots
The Panthers hired Scott Fitterer, Seahawks vice president of football operations, to become their new general manager. The team said Fitterer agreed to a fiveyear contract late Thursday night after being offered earlier in the day.
“We thought Scott was the best fit for the organization,“Panthers owner David Tepper said.
The Lions desperately need to figure out how to draft better players and they’re leaning on Brad Holmes to lead the way, drawing on his expertise with the Rams.
Holmes and the Lions agreed to terms on a deal that makes him their general manager. He led the Rams’ college scouting department for eight years and started his 18-year career with them as a public relations intern in 2003.
Notable
The Steelers’ playoff f lameout cost offensive coordinator Randy Fichtner and two assistants their jobs. The team announced it would not renew the contracts of Fichtner, offensive line coach Shaun Sarrett, and secondary coach Tom Bradley following a 48-37 loss to Cleveland on Sunday night. The club also said tight ends coach James Daniels is retiring after 17 seasons in that position.