Urban Meyer will be an NFL head coach after a three-year hiatus.
As one of the winningest coaches in college football, he will try to turn the fortunes of the Jacksonville Jaguars around after a dismal 1-15 season.
Given that he’s a winner, surely he can bring success in the NFL just like he did at Florida and Ohio State, right?
That’s easier said than done because the big league is a different animal.
With preseason ongoing, here’s what he must consider.
3. He Cannot Be A Dictator
Sure, he still has control over the team.
But the buttons you push for collegiate players are not the same with professionals.
They have a different motivation for playing.
Likewise, earning the same amount of money, if not more, should change Meyer’s approach to building rapport.
Urban Meyer on Jaguars' rebuild: "It's not a four-year plan. It's not fair to these players. It's a one-year plan" (per @judybattista)https://t.co/6gQxCNUQoF pic.twitter.com/I8fmssddh5
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) August 8, 2021
In college, he is the boss and his word is the bottom line.
That isn’t the case in the NFL wherein he must give his players some autonomy.
Players may revolt if he is too tight on them.
When that happens, it’s always the mentor who gets the pink slip.
Therefore, Meyer must understand that his players will be ready during practice and at game time.
Anything beyond that is none of his business.
2. There Are No Cupcakes In The NFL
You cannot take any opponent for granted in the NFL.
There’s a reason these players made it to the pros.
They are the best of the best, even if their record doesn’t reflect their talent.
Likewise, prestige alone won’t cut it in the NFL recruitment saga.
Meyer might be used to getting the best players because he can easily sell the vision of playing for a national championship.
No wonder they always get blowout victories against smaller schools.
But the NFL is a dogfight in every snap.
Failing to prepare for every possession can spell doom for the entire game.
Even in the preseason, Meyer must absorb the high-stakes pressure that the NFL induces among coaches.
After all, every team has talent and must be accounted for.
1. He Has Some Catching Up To Do
Meyer stepped away from the sidelines for two years.
That’s a considerable amount of time, especially with how NFL schemes constantly evolve.
Therefore, he has more homework to do than any other head coach in the league.
He must familiarize himself with the complex packages that teams use.
Urban Meyer was just working with Ben Ellefson on his release technique pic.twitter.com/Ei3rF8ri4u
— Jamal St. Cyr (@JStCyrTV) August 7, 2021
There might be a little flavor of the college game in those but that’s a small sample size.
Even in his division alone, he already has his hands full.
The Houston Texans may still have Deshaun Watson, who led the league in passing yards last season.
Then there’s the Tennessee Titans with an efficient Ryan Tannehill and a bruising Derrick Henry.
The Indianapolis Colts, though a young squad, are no pushover either.
Jacksonville will be facing the Cleveland Browns and the New Orleans Saints in the preseason.
That’s two teams that reached the playoffs last season.
Those games will be a good indication of how his system will fare in the NFL.
But when those tune-ups are over, it may signify how far Meyer’s system is from being competitive in the NFL.
NEXT: Urban Meyer Reveals Flaw In Tim Tebow's Game