Do the Jaguars have buyer’s remorse after turning over their franchise to one of the most polarizing coaches in football, three-time FBS national champion Urban Meyer? While owner Shad Khan remains supportive of the former Ohio State head coach—at least publicly—Meyer’s act is reportedly wearing thin in the Jags’ locker room with many put off by his confrontational and often “condescending” attitude toward players and coaches.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Meyer recently delivered a “biting” critique of his coaching staff, dismissing his assistants as “losers” and openly mocking their resumes. Another recent incident involved veteran Marvin Jones, who was so infuriated by Meyer’s criticism of Jacksonville’s receiving corps that he left the team in protest. Jones did eventually return to the facility (though it took plenty of convincing), where he had another “heated” run-in with Meyer.
Pelissero has heard from players that Meyer “doesn’t treat them like adults” and is dismissive of other staff members, constantly deflecting blame. Apparently, Meyer also masked the reason for James Robinson’s disappearance in Week 13, benching him for Carlos Hyde (who he previously coached at Ohio State) after a first-quarter fumble despite insisting the running back’s departure was injury-related. After ordering running backs coach Brian Parmalee to prevent Robinson from re-entering the game, Meyer finally relented after quarterback Trevor Lawrence pleaded for his return.
These “tense interactions” described by Pelissero paint the portrait of a coach at the end of his rope, handling his first taste of professional failure about as poorly as possible by lashing out in all directions. The warning signs have all been there, even going back to this summer when Meyer was fined $100,000 for OTA violations. Since then, Meyer has had to put out constant fires including two months ago when viral videos surfaced of the 57-year-old receiving a lap dance from a much younger woman after admittedly “drinking too much” following a loss to Cincinnati.
Between bullying staff members and belittling his own players, Meyer comes off as a tyrant ill-equipped to handle the pressure and demands of coaching at football’s highest level. This goes beyond growing pains too with Pelissero noting Meyer has made little effort to change his ways, continuing to rule with an iron fist even with his team in tatters. That hard-nosed style of leadership can work with the right people in place, but respect in the NFL is earned, not given. With Meyer showing little respect for his players and coaches, it’s hard to see this marriage lasting beyond 2021.
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