Jacksonville Jaguars fans are trying to forget about the 2021 NFL season, when Urban Meyer was the team’s head coach, but history won’t let that happen. Because of the disaster that his tenure was, Meyer’s time in Jacksonville is frequently brought up, with everyone reflecting on just how poorly things went.
That recently happened again with CBS Sports’ ranking of the 25 worst coaching hires this century. Surely, the Jaguars’ hire of Meyer was going to be on the list, it was just a question of where the move would land. Writer Cody Benjamin ultimately argued that Urban Meyer was the worst coaching hire of the century.
CBS Sports ranks Jaguars’ Urban Meyer hire the worst coaching hire of the century
There certainly won’t be any arguments against this ranking from Jaguars fans. While Meyer did inherit a one-win team, and technically improved the win total by a game before being fired after 13 games, his short stint had enough chaos to void any excuses that would work in his defense. Benjamin detailed that in the explanation for why Meyer was ranked No. 1 on this infamous list.
"Desperate for rejuvenation, the Jaguars looked past Meyer's history of fielding troubled talents at Florida and Ohio State, instead focusing on his three national championships. It took but a few months for the trouble to follow Meyer to the NFL. Despite inheriting No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, he made it just 13 games before ownership pulled the plug. The worst part wasn't the losses but the scandals sandwiched between them, none greater than a seemingly flirtatious trip to the bar -- captured in viral video -- while the rest of the team flew home from a defeat."
Cody Benjamin (CBS Sports)
Enough said. Meyer had more troubling stories emerge during his short time in Jacksonville than wins. However, fans can thank Meyer for helping the team land Travon Walker with the No. 1 overall pick.
Now, the Jaguars are starting the Liam Coen era, after Doug Pederson led the team to a 22-29 record in three seasons. With a ton of young talent on the roster, Coen has a chance to get the Jaguars back to contender status. Whatever happens during his time in Jacksonville, it’ll be tough for it to go more poorly than Urban Meyer’s stint.
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