Jaguars hire Urban Meyer as new head coach

Multiple reports surfaced on Thursday that it was only a matter of time before the Jacksonville Jaguars announced the hiring of three-time college football national champion coach Urban Meyer as their new head coach. 

Official word on the deal came from the Jaguars early Thursday evening. 

Meyer, 56, guided the Florida Gators to national titles in 2006 and 2008 and then won a third championship with the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2014. He's also battled multiple health issues during his storied career and walked away from the Buckeyes and coaching in December 2018. 

"I'm ready to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars," Meyer said in a statement shared by Michael DiRocco of ESPN. "Jacksonville has an enthusiastic fan base, and the fans deserve a winning team. With upcoming opportunities in the NFL Draft, and strong support from ownership, the Jaguars are well-positioned to become competitive. I've analyzed this decision from every angle -- the time is right in Jacksonville, and the time is right for me to return to coaching. I'm excited about the future of this organization and our long term prospect for success."

Meyer replaces Doug Marrone, who was fired by owner Shad Khan after the Jaguars finished the 2020 season with a 1-15 record that "earned" Jacksonville the right to select Clemson Tigers star quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the first pick of this year's draft. 

"This is a great day for Jacksonville and Jaguars fans everywhere," Khan added in a prepared statement. "Urban Meyer is who we want and need, a leader, winner and champion who demands excellence and produces results. While Urban already enjoys a legacy in the game of football that few will ever match, his passion for the opportunity in front of him here in Jacksonville is powerful and unmistakable."

ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Meyer will bring some assistants from college football to Jacksonville. None were named in the club's official statement. 

Along with the ability to draft Lawrence, the Jaguars are projected to have nearly $77 million in available salary-cap space. It's understandable why Meyer felt now was the time to return to coaching after spending the last two years as a college football analyst for Fox Sports.