The Jaguars have been in contact with Urban Meyer for more than a month and the team’s vacant head coaching position is his if he wants it, according to a report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Breer, writing in response to questions in a mailbag article, reports, “There’s been some level of communication between Meyer and the Jaguars, through intermediaries and directly, for close to a month, if not longer. And I believe the job is Meyer’s if he wants it, and I think getting him would be a steal.”
The report contradicts Jaguars’ owner Shad Khan’s statements made during a videoconference on Jan. 4 in response to reporters’ questions about the Jaguars’ interest in Meyer.
“I’ve known Urban over the years through Big Ten and what have you. But we have not spoken to anyone about this job or even, obviously, interviewed him,” Khan said “I mean, this is something — just made the decision this morning. So, you know there is — and I’ll leave it at that.”
It is against NFL protocol to interview coaches for positions that are not available. However, the practice is often carried out via back channels. Meyer is not currently coaching. He has worked as an analyst for FOX Sports since retiring from the head coaching position at Ohio State in 2018, citing health issues.
Breer also writes, “I think Shad Khan will make him say no. And if he does, the Jaguars, based on the fact that they’ve put requests in on other candidates, should be ready to roll with all of those pluses to sell to someone else. Despite the issues I laid out, this is a really good job, and one where coaches have been given time to build.”
The Jaguars reportedly interviewed Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on Wednesday and Falcons interim head coach Raheem Morris on Thursday.
The Jaguars can begin interviewing assistants on teams playing in the playoffs Monday. That would include Buffalo’s offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith.