Report: Meyer calls his assistants losers
Jacksonville Jaguars coach Urban Meyer wants everyone to know he does not want to be perceived as a micromanager, at least publicly.
But behind the scenes, Meyer has had multiple run-ins with players and coaches that has developed into an ongoing tension at the Jaguars facility for months, according to a report from Nfl.com.
It’s driving speculation, at least among league circles, that Meyer’s time in Jacksonville could end after this season.
In October after a second video surfaced showing Meyer touching a woman’s backside in a restaurant bar in Columbus, Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement that his coach’s conduct was inexcusable and that he must regain their trust and respect.
The Jaguars, however, continue to have embarrassing losses and public image hits involving the franchise.
Earlier this week, Meyer publicly stated if a player fumbles, he will come out of the game for a few plays. Then it’s up to the position coach or coordinator to put that player back in at the designated time. But according to the
Nfl.com report, Meyer was the one who ordered running back James Robinson to the bench after his fumble last week against the Los Angeles Rams.
Asked repeatedly whether Robinson was benched for the fumble or because of a heel/knee injury, Meyer danced around the question for three days.
After the game, when Meyer was asked to explain how backup running back Carlos Hyde’s can return to the game on the next drive after his fumble, but Robinson fumbled and sits out 20 plays, he told reporters to ask running backs coach Bernie Parmalee for an explanation.
According to the report, tensions have reached the boiling-over point, with Meyer having multiple run-ins with players and coaches during the past few weeks. Veteran wide receiver Marvin Jones reportedly became so angry with Meyer’s public and private criticism of the receivers that he left the facility until other staff members convinced him to return. Jones also had a heated argument with Meyer during practice.
According to the report, Meyer proclaimed himself a winner and his assistants are losers during a staff meeting, challenging each coach individually to explain when they’ve won and defend their resumes.