Urban Meyer has an unfortunate track record of leaving a team for the next best opportunity.
It all began at Bowling Green State University, where he departed for Utah after two seasons.
After two years at Utah, it was then on to Florida to coach the Gators.
He won two national championships with the Gators before ultimately taking a leave of absence, only to return and lead the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Meyer retired late in 2018, just to return with the Jacksonville Jaguars this season.
Now there is another premier job opening in the college ranks.
That is at USC, where Clay Helton was finally fired after two games of the 2021 season.
If Meyer were still a free agent he would be the obvious fit.
For now, he is committed to the Jaguars.
Asked about the USC HC opening today, Jaguars’ HC Urban Meyer said: “There’s no chance. I’m here and committed to trying to build this organization.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 15, 2021
Should fans believe him?
Just Getting Started In Jacksonville
Meyer has bailed on teams before, but not after one game.
He took on the Jaguars job as his first NFL test and isn’t going to give up right at the start.
He was lucky enough to show up and draft Trevor Lawrence, giving the team a bright future.
Meyer wants to establish a reputation as someone who can win at any level of the game.
Bailing for USC would only serve to tarnish his reputation and there would be no guarantee of success with the Trojans anyway.
Another point to remember is that he doesn’t need to spend the entire year recruiting in the professional game.
If Meyer truly does have serious health issues, this job is better suited for his own health and long-term well-being.
Fans who want to compare him to Nick Saban coaching the Miami Dolphins before bolting for Alabama have to remember the current Crimson Tide legend still finished two NFL seasons before leaving.
Not saying Urban Meyer to USC is going to happen, but let's remember Nick Saban once said, "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach."
Two weeks later he left the Dolphins for Alabama. https://t.co/NjXWWR3VO2
— Matthew Moreno (@MMoreno1015) September 15, 2021
So the situation is not exactly the same thing.
A Building Process
If Meyer expected to show up in Jacksonville this year and win a Super Bowl, he would be a delusional individual.
He had to know this would be a building process and one where he could put his personal stamp on every move.
That goes in line with how college coaches operate and while some have fun mocking him, it is unfair to do so after one game.
His team sure played better than the Green Bay Packers did in Week 1.
The Jaguars are trying to build something special and Meyer himself is still adjusting to the NFL game.
Him leaving for USC would not only be shocking, but would also be tough to do given the contract he just signed with the Jaguars.
NEXT: Trevor Lawrence Shows Highs And Lows In Week 1 Debut