Jacksonville Jaguars hire former Florida, Ohio State coach Urban Meyer for first NFL job

Urban Meyer, who won college national championships at Florida and Ohio State but also retired twice citing family and health reasons, is the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team announced Thursday.

Meyer, 56 and venturing into the NFL for the first time, won national titles in 2006 and 2008 with the Gators and 2014 with the Buckeyes. He also was head coach at Bowling Green and Utah.

He last coached in 2018 and has been working for the Ohio State athletic department as well as being an analyst for Fox college football broadcasts. His record in 17 seasons as a head coach is 187–32. He also left coaching after Florida's 2010 season, returning in 2012.

''I’m ready to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars.'' Meyer said in a statement. "Jacksonville has an enthusiastic fan base, and the fans deserve a winning team. With upcoming opportunities in the NFL draft, and strong support from ownership, the Jaguars are well-positioned to become competitive

''I’ve analyzed this decision from every angle — the time is right in Jacksonville, and the time is right for me to return to coaching. I’m excited about the future of this organization and our long term prospect for success."

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Jacksonville is considered perhaps the most attractive of the openings because the team has the No. 1 selection in the 2021 NFL draft and a projected projected league-high $77.6 million in cap space.

''This is a great day for Jacksonville and Jaguars fans everywhere,'' owner Shad Khan said in a statement. ''Urban Meyer is who we want and need, a leader, winner and champion who demands excellence and produces results.

''While Urban already enjoys a legacy in the game of football that few will ever match, his passion for the opportunity in front of him here in Jacksonville is powerful and unmistakable. I'm proud to name Urban the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars."

Meyer replaces Doug Marrone who was fired after going 1-15 this season and 23-43 overall. In Marrone's first year, the team reached the AFC championship game.

Meyer's name began surfacing well before the season ended with the NFL Network even reporting the first weekend in January that Meyer was reaching out about possible assistants and telling people he expects to be hired.