Meyer agrees to return as Jags coach
JACKSONVILLE, FLA. » Urban 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, and Khan waited nearly a week to get it done. They met last Friday on Khan’s yacht in Miami, again Wednesday and one final time at the facility Thursday. Hiring the longtime college coach with three national championships would signify a new direction for a franchise that has lost 105 of 144 games since Khan took over in 2012.
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. STEFANSKI RETURNS TO BROWNS » Browns coach Kevin Stefanski is back with his playoff team after having COVID-19.
Stefanski returned to the team’s facility 10 days after he tested positive with the virus and after he missed Cleveland’s playoff win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
He had been isolated in his home for the required 10 days since contracting COVID-19. He lost his sense of taste but experienced only mild symptoms.
College football
JONES AMONG 4 ALABAMA UNDERCLASSMEN DECLARING FOR DRAFT » Four stars from Alabama’s national
championship team, including Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback Mac Jones, are leaving early to enter the NFL draft.
Jones, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, cornerback Patrick Surtain II and defensive lineman Christian Barmore announced their intentions to leave. All are considered potential first-round picks.
College basketball
VIRGINIA, SAN JOSE STATE LATEST WOMEN’S TEAMS TO END SEASONS » The injury-depleted Virginia women’s basketball team has opted out of the remainder of the season, becoming the second Atlantic Coast Conference team to make that decision.
Virginia announced that the women’s team will not complete the remainder of the season due to health and safety concerns. San Jose State also announced its women’s program would not complete the season due to COVID-19 issues. The Spartans had previously paused basketball activities twice during the pandemic.
Pro basketball
RAIDERS OWNER BUYING WNBA’S ACES » Mark Davis is expanding his sports empire in Las Vegas, buying the Aces from MGM
Resorts International.
The Raiders owner purchased the WNBA team pending approval from the league’s board of governors. CELTICS PLAN TO PLAY FRIDAY, ANOTHER SUNS GAME CALLED » The Boston Celtics expect their unplanned week-long hiatus because of coronavirus-related issues to end Friday, when they’re scheduled to play host to the Orlando Magic. The Phoenix Suns, however, have a bit more time off coming.
The Indiana at Phoenix game scheduled for Saturday has been called off — the ninth such postponement since the week began. The Suns will not have enough players eligible to play, largely because of contact tracing issues, the NBA said.
Golf
PEBBLE BEACH FOR PROS ONLY THIS YEAR » The only stars at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this year will be the players. The spike in COVID-19 cases in California led organizers to cancel the pro-am portion of a tournament with a long history of entertainers and celebrities mixing with the pros on one of the most picturesque courses in the country.