Jaguars HC Urban Meyer’s tenure described as ‘disaster’

When the Jacksonville Jaguars hired Urban Meyer, they thought they were getting a head coach that would help them get the team on the right path after years of losing. So far, that hasn’t been the case and his first year at the helm has been surrounded by distractions and drama. That’s why an insider believes he could be one-and-done in the NFL.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports believes time is running out for Meyer and named the Jaguars as one of seven NFL teams that could make a coaching change soon. The insider says Meyer hasn’t brought any positives to Jacksonville and notes that his tenure has been “a disaster”. Moreover, he thinks the Jags look “as lost as ever”. Here’s what La Canfora had to say.

"Any hopes Meyer would be a cash grab and keep fans engaged through another rebuild is long out the window; he has been a source of controversy and the stands are empty – again – and this franchise looks as lost as ever. Which is saying something. Meyer is going to want to whack a bunch of assistants at the end of the season, and I hear things are thorny between him and GM Trent Baalke and this has been a total disaster. Whether that’s enough to convince Shad Khan to blow it up after a year remains to be seen; many would have fired Meyer for his bye week stunt alone."

This isn’t the first time La Canfora has reported things aren’t going great in Jacksonville. Not long ago, he unveiled a rift between Meyer and the coaching staff. Before the season started, he said the head coach’s temper was having a negative effect on the team and impacting the morale negatively, During the offseason, the insider said Meyer was getting sideways looks by his peers during the offseason. On the other hand, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media is reporting Meyer’s approach tension is boiling in the building with “his hard-charging and sometimes condescending approach”. In his article. Pelissero lists a number of incidents that have happened in Jacksonville.

The Jaguars are in a tough spot when it comes to Urban Meyer.

La Canfora is right, Meyer hasn’t been great and has gotten more attention for his mistakes than his (minimal) success on the field, and not having an explanation for running back James Robinson’s benching is one of many situations he hasn’t handled well. So far, he hasn’t given fans a reason he can turn the Jaguars into a contender. Instead, they’re left wondering what the head coach is going to do next.

Now, Meyer reaffirmed his commitment to the Jaguars after shutting down rumors of him becoming Notre Dame’s head coach. However, it’s fair to wonder if Jaguars’ owner Shad Kahn would bite the bullet and pull the plug on the Ohio native even though he’s been on the job for less than a year. Khan moved Mike Mularkey after going 2-14 in 2013, so this wouldn’t be the first time he fires a head coach after just one season.

Of course, Meyer could finish the season on a strong note and give Khan no choice but to keep him. This isn’t likely but if that happens, he will have to make several changes to a coaching staff that hasn’t gotten the best out of the roster. Then again, it may prove difficult to convince top coordinators to come work for him after seeing his current staff fleeing when given the chance.

Meyer’s success at college hasn’t carried over to the NFL and doesn’t seem like a lock to remain in Jacksonville next year. If he does stay, he needs to make drastic changes to the operation. Otherwise, there won’t be a Year 3.