USA TODAY International Edition
Jaguars hire Meyer as head coach
Urban Meyer, who won college national championships at Florida and Ohio State but also retired twice citing family and health reasons, is the new head coach of the Jaguars, the NFL team announced Thursday night.
Meyer, 56 and venturing into the NFL for the first time, won national titles in 2006 and 2008 with the Gators and in 2014 with the Buckeyes. He also was head coach at Bowling Green ( 20012002) and Utah ( 2003- 2004).
He last coached in 2018 and has been working for the Ohio State athletic department as well as being an analyst for Fox college football broadcasts. He left coaching after Florida’s 2010 season, compiling a 65- 15 record in six seasons. Then in seven seasons ( 2012- 18) with Ohio State, he was 83- 9.
“This is a great day for Jacksonville and Jaguars fans everywhere,” owner Shad 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. I’m proud to name Urban the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
Khan was seeking a proven coach to turn around his franchise that’s had 11 losing seasons in 13 years.
Meyer’s record in 17 seasons as a head coach is 187– 32. He has never had a losing season.
Jacksonville was considered perhaps the most attractive of the NFL head coach openings because the Jaguars have the No. 1 selection in the 2021 draft and a projected league- high $ 77.6 million in salary- cap space.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is expected to be the top pick.
Meyer replaces Doug Marrone who was fired after going 1- 15 this season and 23- 43 overall. In Marrone’s first year, the team reached the AFC championship game.
Meyer’s name began surfacing well before the season ended.