Ex-Ohio State Coach Urban Meyer Has 'No Desire' To Return To Sidelines
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After flaming out with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021, it's best to assume that former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer won't be returning to the NFL sidelines anytime soon.
As for coaching at the collegiate level? Meyer likely won't be doing that, either.
In an appearance on the "All Things Covered" podcast hosted by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Patrick Peterson and former Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Bryant McFadden, Meyer opened up about his 13-game tenure with the Jaguars. After going 2-11 with the AFC South franchise, Meyer said that he does not intend to return to coaching soon.
"No desire," Meyer said in the podcast. "Of course, I would've done some things differently."
Meyer, who initially retired from Ohio State following the 2018 season, said he was content working in television as an analyst with Fox and transitioning to the next stage of his career. But when the Jaguars came calling in the 2021 offseason following the firing of Doug Marrone, it was the pitch from owner Shad Khan that really sold him on returning to the game.
"I got approached by a few (NFL) teams and this team really appealed to me," Meyer said. "Trevor Lawrence, who might be a Hall of Famer some day, he's that good."
Meyer failed to meet expectations from a coaching standpoint, but his controversy off the field ultimately led to his firing. According to reports, Meyer created a "toxic work environment" where he would belittle not only players on the roster, but also members of the coaching staff.
Things started to sour quickly following his hiring in February 2021. Meyer hired former Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle, who had left the Big Ten West program after allegations of racism and bullying surfaced. Doyle resigned a day after he was announced as the Jaguars' director of sports performance.
Following a Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football, Meyer was criticized for not flying back with the team to remain in Ohio and catch up with old friends. Days later, a video surfaced of the former Buckeyes coach dancing at a bar with a woman who was not his wife.
In December of 2021, a day before he was terminated, former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo accused Meyer of "kicking him" during a preseason game before his release. Days before the Jaguars' Week 15 loss to the Houston Texans, Khan elected to part ways with Meyer following the allegations.
Meyer admitted on the podcast that the transition to the professional level did not go as planned.
"Obviously it didn't go well," Meyer said, "but I had no plans of doing that at all. It just happened."
Meyer won't be remembered in a positive light for his time in Duval County. The same can't be said for his time in Columbus, Gainsville, and Salt Lake City. Considered by many as one of the greatest college coaches of all time, Meyer posted a 187-32 overall record and won three national championships, including one at Ohio State in 2014.
Hired by the Buckeyes in 2012, Meyer led the program to six 12-plus win seasons and seven top-10 finishes in the Associated Press poll. He finished with an 83-9 record in seven years and posted a .902 winning percentage, the highest in program history.
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