The first domino has fallen in the NFL coaching carousel. The Jacksonville Jaguars have found their next head coach. Not only is this man just a football coach, he’s a legend. The Jacksonville Jaguars are finalizing a deal with Urban Meyer. Yes, Urban Meyer is finally coming to the NFL. Typically, Jacksonville does a horrible job in hiring head coaches. However, this is a great pickup for the organization. With the current direction the organization was heading in, they needed a true leader. Urban Meyer screams leadership. Even though this is the first signing of the NFL coaching carousel, this might be the best one.

Urban Meyer’s early success in college football

Urban Meyer:

▪️ 2006 National Champion (Florida)
▪️ 2008 National Champion (Florida)
▪️ 2014 National Champion (Ohio St)

Jaguars:

▪️ 0 Super Bowl Appearances pic.twitter.com/Cb2S9rvnpd

— NFLonCBS (@NFLonCBS) January 14, 2021

It’s no secret, Urban Meyer is very good coach. He’s a three time champion in college football and responsible for coaching some of the greatest quarterbacks in college football history. Tim Tebow and Alex Smith were two of Meyer’s quarterbacks in the 2000s. In the 2010s it was Braxton Miller, Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett, all at Ohio State. In his first season at Bowling Green as the head coach, he turned that program around. Bowling Green was a laughing stock, and then Meyer turned a laughing stock into an 8-3 powerhouse. However his career at Bowling Green did not last long. In 2003 he became to head coach at the University of Utah and coached Alex Smith. Meyer turned around this program as well. He turned Alex Smith into an elite quarterback, led Utah to their first bowl since 1998, and coached them to a perfect season for the first time since 1930, finishing off that season with a Fiesta Bowl victory.

Florida Gators

In 2005, Urban Meyer left Utah to become the head coach at Florida. To this point, Meyer already had a good track record, but this is where his legendary status as a head coach was born. In his first season at Florida, the Gators went 9-3 and capped off the year with a bowl victory over Iowa. Meyer wasn’t satisfied considering that Florida had a chance to go to the SEC Championship if they hadn’t lost to South Carolina in the season finale. The 2006 season will never be forgotten. Florida posted a 12-1 record including a win in the SEC Championship. This set up a date with number one ranked Ohio State in the BCS National Championship game. This was also the season that Tim Tebow exploded onto the scene of college football. Troy Smith, the Ohio State quarterback, was the Heisman trophy winner coming into this game. Florida would end up beating Ohio State 41-14 giving Urban Meyer his first title.

2008 Season

Just like in 2006, the Florida Gators posted another 12-1 record including a victory in the SEC Championship game. They once again were headed for the BCS National Championship game, this time against the Oklahoma Sooners. Florida dominated their way to the championship, beating six ranked teams that season. Florida capped off the season soundly defeating Oklahoma 24-14. This would be the last title Urban Meyer would win in Florida.

The Ohio State Buckeyes

Urban Meyer retired from coaching after the 2010 season leaving college football fans questioning would he ever coach again. Yes, yes he would. Urban Meyer was announced as the head coach of the Buckeyes on November 28th, 2011 after rumors were flying about it. He wasted no time with bringing success to the Buckeyes. His first year with the team resulted in a 12-0 record. However, due to NCAA sanctions, Ohio State could not particiapte in any postseason games. The 2013 season would result the Buckeyes finishing with a 12-2 record, leaving Meyer unhappy.

2014 Season

Jacksonville and former Ohio St. HC Urban Meyer are in advanced talks to see if they can finalize a deal, per @AdamSchefter

Ohio State offensive rank under Meyer:
🔺 2014: 7th
🔺 2015: 18th
🔺 2016: 21st
🔺 2017: 8th
🔺 2018: 10th pic.twitter.com/CCcn0ZKDpt

— PFF (@PFF) January 14, 2021

In 2014, the NCAA introduced the college football playoff. With this being added, the compeition became more intense. Ohio State was facing a challenge. They lost Braxton Miller to a season ending injury before the season starting leaving the quarterback duties to J.T. Barrett. Barrett and Meyer helped the Buckeyes finish with an 11-1 record, officially qualifiying for the college football playoff as the fourth seed. They faced top ranked Alabama in the Sugar Bowl where they were the heavy underdog. After falling behind early, they would shock the nation and beat top ranked Bama 42-35. After the game Meyer was informed that Ohio State would be facing Oregon. He was told Oregon won by 40 against Florida State, his reaction to that was priceless.

Ohio State beat Oregon 40-22 to become the first program to win the college football national championship.

What to expect in Jacksonville

#BREAKING: Touchdown. Urban Meyer seen getting off a plane at Cecil Airport in JAX. #DUUUVAL @wjxt4 pic.twitter.com/HRSYvD8FDH

— Zachery Lashway (@ZachLashway) January 14, 2021

Urban Meyer knows how to coach young quarterbacks. It just so happens that the Jaguars have the number one pick in the upcoming draft. If Urban is able to replicate any success he had, maybe he can turn Jacksonville aroud.

-Matt Burnett (@mattthew_jordan on Twitter)