The Jacksonville Jaguars just took the first step toward rebuilding.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have officially introduced Urban Meyer as their new head coach. The former Florida and Ohio State head coach had a sit-down with the local media Friday and shared his vision. While we can’t tell whether he’s going to succeed or fail based on his first presser alone, there is plenty to be excited about, and here are three reasons why this was the perfect hiring.
1. Meyer is going to put his players in a position to succeed
Meyer said during the sit-down he can’t demand the best from his players if they don’t have the best resources. He emphasized the need to give his players the best tools to succeed, and if the organization doesn’t have them, they have to ask why not and then get them. This sounds like it’s key to having success and the very first thing an organization should do, but it’s not always the case.
Before Meyer got the job, he talked to the Jaguars’ brass about upgrading the facilities and staffing, per Albert Breer of MMQB. The Dream Finders Homes Practice Complex isn’t falling apart and there aren’t any public complaints about it. Nevertheless, those upgrades can make a difference, give them an edge and help them build a winning team.
2. Meyer will have the best for the Jacksonville jaguars
Once his players have the best resources and welfare, he will push them. For that to happen, he will need the best possible coaching staff. He says he’s in the process of evaluating the current staff and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him keep a few coaches if he thinks they’re going to help the team win.
Meyer says he blames coaches before players and that’s how it should be done. How can you ask their players to give their best when they don’t have adequate coaching and proper development? This sounds like common sense, but this is more common than you would think. Former Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Paul Guenther and former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia come to mind. They always pointed fingers at players for their lack of execution and never shoulder the responsibility nor the blame. Hence, it’s not shocking they both are currently unemployed.
3. He’s asking for all the help he can get.
After having so much success in college, Meyer could take a ‘my way or the highway’ approach. Instead, he will rely on people around him, one of those will be Super Bowl-winning coach Jimmy Johnson. The fact he’s open to adapting and knows the NFL is very different from the college game. He says he’s been studying the salary cap and understanding roster management. He wants to be’ well-educated’ in something that is going to be critical to their success.
He is aware times are changing, and coaching the way he did in college is not the best thing moving forward, and mentioned there’s going to be complete transparency. He added that those that adapt have success and those that don’t fail.
The Jaguars should be excited about Urban Meyer’s arrival.
The Jaguars need to make drastic changes if they started winning games. Hiring Meyer was the first of many steps they had to make for them to change their culture. Keep in mind they didn’t bring in Meyer because of his coaching acumen. Rather, they want him to oversee a franchise transformation, and they will give them everything he needs to do so.
Owner Shahid Khan said the ‘Jags’ have a ‘coach centric’ approach and he and the general manager will get him great players, but it goes beyond fact. The fact they are giving him the freedom to implement his vision says how much they trust him. The organization knows it takes more than one head coach to win football games and they are doing their part.
This was one of the most important decisions in franchise history and one that will have huge ramifications. If they can implement their vision, the team will be set for years. On the other hand, if they don’t fully commit, it could set them back.
This Jacksonville team currently has an abundance of cap space and draft picks, but they also have their work cut off and there’s no point in having a surplus of resources if they can’t can’t fully maximize them. Hiring Meyer will help them accomplish that.