The Urban Meyer era in Duval County didn’t even last an entire season.
On Wednesday night, Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan announced the decision to fire Meyer.
It’s no surprise given the team’s 2-11 record and many of Meyer’s choices during his tenure as the Jaguars head coach, including:
- The decision to hire strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle, who resigned in February after allegations resurfaced racial remarks that led to Doyle’s separation agreement in 2020 at the University of Iowa.
- Allowing Tim Tebow the opportunity to try out for the team as a tight end during the preseason. Tebow, 34, had last played in the NFL in 2015.
- High staff turnover: Special teams coordinator Brian Schneider took a leave of absence in May for personal reasons and did not return. Chief of Staff Fernando Lovo left the team in November to return to the University of Texas. Tight ends coach Tyler Bowen is also expected to become offensive coordinator at Virginia Tech.
- Reports that Meyer belittled his staff in team meetings.
- The decision not to fly back on the team plane after the Jags’ Week 4 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Viral videos then surfaced of Meyer at a bar with a woman who’s not his wife dancing near his lap.
- Tampa Bay Times reporter Rick Stroud’s report of former Jags kicker Josh Lambo accusing Meyer of kicking him in the leg. Meyer denied the incident happened the way Lambo described it.
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will serve as the Jaguars’ interim head coach for the remainder of the 2021 season.
Here are three potential young replacements for Meyer.
3. Byron Leftwich
Byron Leftwich, 41, is BetOnline’s favorite to become the Jaguars next full-time head coach as of Thursday.
The seventh overall pick of the 2003 Draft played quarterback for the Jaguars from 2003-2006.
Leftwich has served as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator since 2019.
Last season, Leftwich helped the Buccaneers win Super Bowl LV in a 31-9 rout of the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Bucs enter Week 15 of the 2021 season with an NFC South-best 10-3 record.
When asked about the head coach opening in Jacksonville, Leftwich told Stroud “I’m just trying to win a division.”
Also, Leftwich laughed when a reporter asked him about the Jaguars’ vacancy at the end of his Thursday media availability.
If the Jaguars offered Leftwich their head coaching job, he’d have an interesting decision to make.
Future Hall of Famer Tom Brady, 44, is under contract with the Buccaneers through the 2022 season.
Whoever fills the Jaguars vacancy will get to coach Trevor Lawrence, the first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.
When asked about a HC opening in Jacksonville, Byron Leftwich walked off saying “I’m just trying to win a division.”
— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) December 16, 2021
2. Kellen Moore
Kellen Moore, 33, has served as the Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator since 2019.
Despite a coaching change from Jason Garrett to Mike McCarthy in 2020, Moore remained with the team.
Dallas Morning News reporter Michael Gehlken said Moore is a potential fit in Jacksonville, stating that the Jags can request permission for a virtual interview on December 28.
Moore has helped in the development of Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
The Cowboys had one of the NFL’s top offenses, starting the season 6-1.
In the Cowboys’ last six games, they are 3-3.
Last offseason, Moore interviewed for head coaching positions with the Philadelphia Eagles and his alma mater Boise State.
Jaguars emerge as a prototypical fit for Cowboys OC Kellen Moore. Talented, young quarterback whom to develop. Patient owner. Place where an even, easy-going temperament would be embraced. Jacksonville can request permission for virtual interview as early as Dec. 28 at 8 a.m. CT.
— Michael Gehlken (@GehlkenNFL) December 16, 2021
1. Josh McDaniels
Josh McDaniels, 45, has won three Super Bowls and coached in five during his 14-year run as the New England Patriots’ offensive coordinator.
However, McDaniels’ 11-17 stint from 2009-2010 as head coach of the Denver Broncos did not go well.
McDaniels is known for getting the most out of quarterbacks, which includes Brady, Matt Cassel, Jimmy Garoppolo, Jacoby Brissett and rookie Mac Jones.
Jones is considered the favorite to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Last season, Cam Newton was the Patriots starting quarterback and the team failed to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season.
Perhaps the Jaguars would want to pair McDaniels with Lawrence.
NEXT: Urban Meyer Joins Trend Of College Coaches Failing In The NFL
