Urban Meyer draws NFL coaching interest

Urban Meyer is already a big name in the NFL head coach shuffle.

League sources told Adam Schefter, ESPN, that “at least two teams” are watching the former Ohio State coach and have reached out to determine his interest in retiring and conducting an interview for – if it is not accepted – a head coach position at the next level. ”

Meyer, 56, has enjoyed productive coaching at university for 17 seasons with Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and the state of Ohio. He has a record of 187-32 in college, but has never coached in the NFL.

He held his most recent position in Ohio State from 2012 to 2018, with which he won three Big Ten titles and one CFP National Championship against a Marcus Mariota-led Oregon team.

Despite his huge success with the Buckeyes, Meyer was placed on administrative leave and retired in 2018 in connection with former assistant coach Zach Smith, who was under investigation at the time for domestic violence and criminal encroachment on his ex-wife. Smith was sentenced in February to 180 days in prison for violating a protection order.

Since leaving the state of Ohio, Meyer has been an addition to FOX Sports’ college football broadcasts as an analyst.

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer
Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer.
Getty Images

Meyer reportedly attracted interest from NFL teams last season, especially from the Dallas Cowboys to replace longtime head coach Jaseon Garrett, who was released this season.

Schefter pushed the idea of ​​the Jaguars, who are currently on the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft in 2021 (presumably to pick Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence). Meyer made connections with Florida after coaching the Gators from 2005 to 2010, with which he won two SEC titles and two national championships.

“Sources who spoke to Meyer believe he wants to make sure he, if he decides to jump into the NFL, is willing to immerse himself completely in a new world,” Schefter wrote Sunday.

Jason La Canfora, CBS Sports, also reported that Meyer could “get serious consideration” from the Detroit Lions and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Doug Marrone – the current head coach of Jacksonville – has another year on his contract. Marrone has been 12-34 since 2018.

The Lions (5-10), Texans (4-10) and Falcons (4-10) have sacked their head coaches mid-season and will be on the hunt soon. The Jets (1-13) are also expected to have a vacancy with head coach.

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