The announcement came roughly nine hours after the latest embarrassment for owner Shad Khan: a report in the Tampa Bay Times in which former kicker Josh Lambo alleged that Meyer kicked him in the leg while he was stretching in warm-ups before a practice during the week of the final preseason game. That was apparently the breaking point for Khan.
Khan said in a statement, “After deliberation over many weeks and a thorough analysis of the entirety of Urban’s tenure with our team, I am bitterly disappointed to arrive at the conclusion that an immediate change is imperative for everyone. I informed Urban of the change this evening. As I stated in October, regaining our trust and respect was essential. Regrettably, it did not happen.”
Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season and GM Trent Baalke will remain in place.
Meyer’s only season with the Jaguars wasn’t very good on the field — the team went 2-11, its 10th season with double-digit losses in the past 11 years — but issues off the field are what doomed him. From hiring a strength and conditioning coordinator who had been accused of making racist remarks and bullying Black players, to a video of Meyer with a woman who was not his wife at a bar, to tension between Meyer and his staff and players, there was dysfunction almost from the moment Meyer was hired.
