What Urban Meyer said during his first press conferences as the Jacksonville Jaguars head coach
Urban Meyer officially had his first press conference as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars today.
He was named head coach on Thursday evening after rumors were swirling earlier in the day that a deal was close between the two sides.
Before taking the job, he was the former head coach at Ohio State and Florida as he won a combined three National Championships with the schools. His overall coaching record in 219 game is 187-32.
With Meyer taking over a team in a massive rebuild, here’s what he had to say in his opening press conference with Jacksonville:
Urban Meyer: “I am not gonna jump into a situation where I don't believe we can win.”
He says he will be “very conscientious” of his health and will trust his assistants to do their jobs. “I'm not gonna be running around like a nut on the practice field. Those days are gone.”
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 15, 2021
Urban Meyer says his Jaguars offense will adapt to their personnel and what they're able to do best. Specifically mentions throwing the ball more with Dwayne Haskins and running the ball more with Ezekiel Elliott while at Ohio State.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 15, 2021
Urban Meyer said he will not be taking Mickey Marotti or Mark Pantoni with him to Jacksonville. Said “there might be one” staffer from Ohio State coming with him, but he wouldn't want to break apart the infrastructure at Ohio State.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 15, 2021
Urban Meyer won't raid Ohio State's staff.
“I talked to Gene and I talked to Coach Day, and you know my affection for both of those guys and the great university that we represented, and I won’t do that … I am not gonna do that to that organization.” https://t.co/IsNP9mnTIh
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) January 15, 2021
#Jaguars coach Urban Meyer on if the No. 1 pick played into it: “Huge. I think Shad and the organization is positioned and it’s not by accident. It’s primed to put together a good team.” Says he wouldn’t enter into a situation where he couldn’t win.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2021
“I’m older. I’m not going to be running around like a nut on the practice field, those days are done… It’s something I’m going to watch very closely.” — #Jaguars coach Urban Meyer on his health.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 15, 2021
New #Jaguars coach Urban Meyer says he'll be very conscientious of his health and watch it closely. Emphasizes he'll rely on his staff. "I’m not going to be running around like a nut on the practice field. Those days are gone.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 15, 2021
Meyer says he "changed dramatically" from Florida to Ohio State and looks forward to adapting to NFL players. "You’re talking about grown men. … However, between the white lines, I don’t see a lot of difference." Says he really studied the NFL game for first time past 6 months.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 15, 2021
Asked about roster control, #Jaguars owner Shad Khan says in part: "We need to be a coach-centric team and organization." Hopes to have a GM in place in the next week. Both coach and GM will report to Khan, but Khan says everyone will be carrying out Urban's vision.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 15, 2021
Asked about QBs in the 2021 draft, Urban Meyer name-checks Trevor Lawrence … and Justin Fields … and Zach Wilson. Says drafting one will be the biggest decision he makes. He has been studying them and sees elite players.
So … we officially have drama with the No. 1 pick.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 15, 2021
