In a surprising move, the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars hired former Florida and Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer as Jaguars head coach on Thursday.
Instead of looking to the League to fill its coaching vacancy, Jacksonville turned to Meyer, 56, who has been in retirement for two years after a six-year stent at Ohio State, leading the Buckeyes to three Big Ten titles and the 2015 National Championship.
DawgNation remembers Meyer most for his five years spent at Florida where he led the Gators to two SEC Championships and two national titles (2006, 2008).
What makes the Jaguars hire so surprising, other than the fact Meyer has no NFL experience and has been retired for two years, is that Meyer retired for health reasons in 2009 while at Florida and did the same a second time in 2018 while at Ohio State.
I suppose he has been eating his Wheaties during his time off.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the news:
A new era begins.
Welcome to #DUUUVAL, @CoachUrbanMeyer
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) January 14, 2021
Doubtful that it will happen, but now that former Florida coach Urban Meyer has taken the helm of the NFL’s Jaguars, bringing back Heisman winner Tim Tebow would sell a lot of seats in Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/9tn9T5gjMV
— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) January 15, 2021
Congrats @CoachUrbanMeyer! Excited to see your next journey (I’ve got a spare room you can share with the Tebow Pack if you need it in the meantime 😂). But in all honesty, excited for this city and the Jags fans, they got a good one! Praying for you coach pic.twitter.com/S1dPvRCoO4
— Tim Tebow (@TimTebow) January 15, 2021
"They will be a playoff contender in year one… but in year two lookout."@PriscoCBS thinks the Jaguars made an excellent move in getting Urban Meyer as their new HC. pic.twitter.com/BKpH1qGZrD
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) January 15, 2021
Coach became a great friend the last two years. Coach is also one of the most competitive people I’ve ever been around and by far the greatest Leader I know! @CoachUrbanMeyer I’ll miss you brother. Best of Luck! @Jaguars
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) January 15, 2021
College head coaches don’t always translate to the NFL. But it’s too early to deem Urban Meyer successful or unsuccessful. Imagine the chances he translates well. You won’t be upset. Give him time. He has great vision for the #Jaguars.
— Black&Teal (@BLACKandTEAL) January 15, 2021
If @Jaguars the @CoachUrbanMeyer union happens, then they will have to make him the GM as well. Then you're wandering dangerously close to the Chip Kelley/ @Eagles disaster.
— BandR_Consulting (@ConsultingBandr) January 14, 2021
For @Jaguars fans sake I hope Urban Meyers is a success. But I’m not getting the warm and fuzzies on the hire. Will he be the next Jimmy Johnson at Dallas or the next Steve Spurrier at Washington? #UrbanMeyer
— Steve Goodman (@RM2SteveG) January 15, 2021
