Jaguars coach Urban Meyer has denied interest in the USC job, but he seems to have Alabama on his mind.
The former longtime college coach, now in his first year in pro football, recently remarked that the level of competition in the NFL is akin to facing off against college football's premier powerhouse program every week, Broncos coach Vic Fangio revealed on Thursday.
Fangio said Meyer's comments came during their recent meeting during Week 2, which ended with a Broncos win in Jacksonville.
Fangio was asked about how to keep his players focused for Week 3 despite being heavily favored against the Jets, who have been unimpressive in starting 0-2. He indicated he was taking nothing for granted, and then relayed Meyer's observation about the difference between the college and pro ranks.
"This is just our third game," Fangio said. "It's the next game. Favorites, or lines, don't mean anything to us. This is the NFL. .. I don't know Urban Meyer at all, really, but I met him the other day. Shook his hand before the game and after the game. His comment to me was, 'Every week it's like playing Alabama in the NFL.' That's it. Everybody is capable of beating everybody in this league.
While Meyer's remark might seem like innocuous coach speak, it's hardly the first report indicating a rough transition to the NFL -- and perhaps a longing for his glory days back in the amateur ranks.
The former Utah, Florida and Ohio State head coach has seen a series of setbacks and unflattering headlines since joining the Jaguars earlier this year.
He has at times acknowledged the steep learning curve himself, including during the offseason when he lamented the lack of in-person meetings for recruiting players in free agency due to the pandemic.
The bumpy indoctrination -- one report said Meyer was "unhinged" and rubbing his players and staff the wrong way -- prompted reporters to ask about whether his interest in the USC job when it recently became open due to the dismissal of Clay Helton.
Meyer said there was "no chance," though his body language was less than convincing to many observers.
The Jaguars visit the Bengals on Thursday Night Football in Week 3.
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