Whoever said that Urban Meyer would have a successful transition to the NFL must be out of their minds.
He cannot handle the reality of the pro game because he cannot control the situation.
His name and presence alone might convince a teenage athlete to play for him back in college.
He can build his team according to his liking and continue to be the boss because that’s how college coaches operate.
After less than one year in Jacksonville, Urban Meyer is out as the Jaguars’ head coach, sources tell ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2021
Unfortunately, mentors who regard themselves as demigods do not adjust in the NFL, hoping that the way they run things at the university will bring success in the big league.
But they fail to realize that they’re dealing with grown-up men already and not individuals who are happy to get a scholarship.
These men might earn more than their coach, and it takes more than threats and rhetoric to make them listen.
At Jacksonville, Meyer failed to realize that he’s not the ultimate authority anymore.
Like a handful of coaches who had forgettable NFL stints, they don’t last because they don’t adapt.
Bullies Are Not Welcome
The story of former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo alone is enough to guarantee that Meyer won’t merit even a consideration to coach in the NFL again.
Calling out struggling players through physical and verbal abuse doesn’t work.
They get away with it in college because of their wins, the national titles, and the money they bring to the school.
They have complete control in running their program and with little oversight.
But that’s not how the NFL works because they have more considerations coming into a game.
Urban Meyer basically laid the blueprint on how to lose a head coaching job in the NFL #PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/3BD8nLPXuS
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 16, 2021
First, they have to play with who they have and coach them to succeed.
Sadly, the Jaguars are one of the worst teams in the league, and Meyer couldn’t recruit to make the roster better.
Meyer can only rely on the draft picks they bring in and the free agents they sign if there are any.
In effect, handling a weak roster will only cause more misery.
Unfortunately, successful college football coaches have difficulty handling losses because they get very few of those setbacks.
Urban Meyer trying to coach the Jaguars pic.twitter.com/85xlVOjHwx
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 16, 2021
Imagine the torment they’re feeling amidst a losing streak.
That’s why he went on an ill-advised escape after losing to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Lose The Locker Room, Lose The Job
When they can’t affect the outcome on the field, they either find a way out or start the blame game.
Bobby Petrino left his resignation letter in the Atlanta Falcons locker room before becoming the Arkansas Razorbacks head coach.
However, Meyer topped that by calling out his assistant coaches while continually referring to himself as a winner.
Such behavior ended whatever support and respect the men in the locker room had for him.
Reports of Jaguars players laughing at his back indicate that Meyer’s time was up.
"The wisdom of a coach kicking a kicker in the hamstring is MIND BOGGLING" ~@RapSheet
It feels like Urban Meyer had no respect for a lot of things in the NFL#PatMcAfeeShowLIVE pic.twitter.com/RZsotesQ0u
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 16, 2021
When in college, these coaches could not care less if the locker room liked them as long as they continued to win.
Try to have that same mentality in an NFL locker room, and a coach will get the pink slip in no time.
It takes more understanding and listening to become a successful professional football coach.
Sadly, these coaches who regard themselves as saviors failed because they insisted that their approach was the right way.
FWIW: When the Jaguars hired Urban Meyer last January, they chose him over Kansas City OC Eric Bienemy, San Francisco 49ers DC Robert Saleh, former Buccanneers/Atlanta Falcons interim coach Raheem Morris and Tennessee OC Arthur Smith.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2021
That said, Meyer joins the list of college coaches who would rather forget their NFL stints.
The Jaguars learned their mistake, and the rest of the league might think twice in bringing in a tactician from the amateur ranks.
NEXT: The Panthers Are Stuck With Sam Darnold For Better Or Worse
