Urban Meyer’s brief tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars has been such a disaster that there are already calls for the head coach to be fired. Four straight losses to start the 2021 NFL season and his latest blunder off the field have raised questions about the 57-year-old’s future in Jacksonville.

Forty-eight hours after the Jaguars blew a chance on “Thursday Night Football” to get their first victory of the year, a viral video showed Meyer getting close to a young woman who was dancing at a bar. On Monday, Meyer said he apologized to his team for being a distraction, but the story has continued to make headlines.

Multiple ESPN analysts have said that Meyer can no longer be Jacksonville’s head coach, and rumors suggest a contingent of Jaguars players might feel the same way. An unnamed player told NFL reporter Michael Silver that Meyer has “zero credibility” within the organization and he doesn’t know how Meyer will function as the team’s coach. According to former NFL executive Michael Lombardi, Jacksonville has been holding meetings to discuss Meyer’s future with the franchise.

"I have addressed this matter with Urban. Specifics of our conversation will be held in confidence," Jaguars owner Shad Khan said in a statement. "What I will say is his conduct last weekend was inexcusable. I appreciate Urban's remorse, which I believe is sincere. Now, he must regain our trust and respect. That will require a personal commitment from Urban to everyone who supports, represents or plays for our team. I am confident he will deliver."

Meyer did not fly back home with the Jaguars after the team was defeated in Cincinnati 24-21 to kick off the Week 5 schedule. The 57-year-old instead went to Columbus, Ohio, where the viral video was taken.

It’s unlikely that Meyer will be fired this early into his time with Jacksonville, though reports of issues between the coach and the team already started in September. Meyer would not be the first NFL coach in the last few years who didn’t make it beyond one season with his new team.

Dating back to last season, the Jaguars have lost 19 straight games. In the season opener, Jacksonville was blown out by the Houston Texans, who were projected to be the league’s worst team.

The Jaguars are one of two remaining winless teams.

Urban Meyer Jacksonville Jaguars
Former Head coach Urban Meyer of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks on before the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on September 30, 2021 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dylan Buell/Getty Images
RELATED STORIES