Padres projected $41 million All-Star predicted to leave San Diego
Jaguars owner Shad Khan blasts ‘not truthful’ Urban Meyer: ‘How can you work with someone like that?’
There’s no love lost between Jaguars owner Shad Khan and Urban Meyer, that much is true.
Khan reflected on Meyer’s contentious tenure with Jacksonville in a press conference with reporters during last week’s NFL Draft. Meyer achieved success throughout his time in the college game, winning national titles with Florida (2007, 2008) and Ohio State (2014). His time in the pro game, though, was a disaster; Meyer was unceremoniously dumped after the Jags dropped 11 of their first 13 games last year.
According to Khan, though, Meyer’s firing had less to do with Jacksonville’s failings on the field and more to deal with Meyer’s antics off of it.
“It was not about wins and losses,” Khan said. “I think when you know someone is not truthful, how can you be around someone, OK? We had Doug Marrone here four years. We had Gus Bradley here four years. I have nothing but the utmost respect and friendship with them. That’s why they got the time, because it wasn’t a matter about respect or truth. It was a matter of wins and losses over four years. This is much bigger than that.”
MORE: Urban Meyer’s return to TV? Former Jaguars, Ohio State coach reportedly nearing reunion with Fox
Bradley and Marrone struggled over the course of their Jaguars’ career, winning just 23 percent and 35 percent of their games, respectively. However, both coaches were afforded four years. Meyer got 13 games, by comparison.
The 57-year old coach was embroiled in a series of controversies over the course of the season. In late September, Meyer opted not to travel back with the Jaguars following a loss to Cincinnati. Videos emerged showing Meyer dancing in a Columbus, Ohio, bar with a woman who was not his wife. An awkward watch for sure, and one that prompted Khan to say Meyer would have to “regain his trust”.
Then, there were former kicker Josh Lambo’s allegations that Meyer kicked him before a preseason game. Suffice to say, Meyer was relieved of his duties shortly after Lambo’s claims came to light. Khan released a statement back in December detailing his decision to sack Meyer.
After deliberation over many weeks and a thorough analysis of the entirety of Urban’s tenure with our team, I am bitterly disappointed to arrive at the conclusion that an immediate change is imperative for everyone. I informed Urban of the change this evening. As I stated in October, regaining our trust and respect was essential. Regrettably, it did not happen.
Khan reiterated that Meyer had been fairly disloyal during his time in Jacksonville.
When you lose the respect, the trust and an issue of truthfulness, how can you work with someone like that? It’s not possible.
Both sides appear headed in different directions. For Khan and the Jaguars, the future seems bright. Well, at least as bright as it can look in a city that hasn’t seen a whole lot of NFL success. Jacksonville finished the season with a 26-21 victory over the Colts, knocking Indianapolis out of playoff contention in the process. It hired Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson to lead its roster back in February. And last week, it added another talent to its roster, selecting Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker with the first overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Meyer, meanwhile, is nearing a deal with Fox Sports to rejoin the network as a college football analyst, according to The Athletic’s Richard Deitsch. The network’s big wigs are fond of Meyer, who worked for Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” for two years.
The network also knows what’s coming for it if and when it brings Meyer back: a torrent of criticism.
“They know that the hire will be pilloried on social media,” Deitsch said.