Ryan Stamper goes home to reunite with his former boss.
Urban Meyer took his native Jacksonville to the state of Ohio in 2012, and now he has hired Stamper into his new Jaguars staff. He will join the NFL head coach for the first time as a director of player judging in a move reported for the first time ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and confirmed by Elf Krygers.
Stamper has been working on player development for the football program for the past nine years, and he has been the assistant athletic director for player development for the past three years.
Stamper works off-field and plays an integral role in keeping Ohio State football players on track – by helping them with academics and other non-football problems – while often serving as a resource for them in a variety of ways. situations. He made a major contribution to launching the ‘Soccer Factory’ program by coordinating the Real Life Wednesdays program created during the Meyer period, with a job fair, speakers and assistance. He also helped players get internships and build connections with companies they might hire once their football careers are complete.
Ion think people realize how big an impact Stamp makes! This one hurts
– Teradja Mitchell (@teeraaw__) 15 January 2021
Although Stamper felt comfortable enough with Ryan Day to stay on the staff when he became head coach in December 2018, it was always possible that he would find his way back to Meyer if he re-entered the coaching profession.
Stamper played as a linebacker for Meyer’s Florida Gators in the late 2000s. He won two national championships and twice worked as a team captain. He earned the Forrest K. Ferguson Award – given to the senior who shows ‘leadership, character and courage’ – his final year at the Gators. After a year as a Florida police officer, Stamper joined Meyer’s staff in Ohio State to help develop players.
Now, after nine years in Columbus, he will return to his hometown of Jacksonville, rejoin Meyer and make his foray into the NFL.
Stamper is expected to be the only Ohio government official to join Meyer in Jacksonville. During Meyer’s inaugural press conference Friday, Meyer said “there could be one” when asked if he employs any Ohio State staff, but he promised Ryan Day and Gene Smith that he would not hire Buckeyes staff do not rob.
“I’ve talked to Gene and talked to Coach Day, and you know my love for both guys and the big university we represented, and I will not do that,” Meyer said.