In a recent interview, former head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Urban Meyer, shared that his short-lived tenure with the team was a challenging period in his career.
Meyer, who had a successful history coaching college football, abruptly exited after just 13 games with the Jaguars before his dismissal in December of the previous year. During an interview on Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich, he highlighted the distinctions between coaching in college versus the NFL.
He noted, “In college, a significant amount of time is spent on recruitment, around 75%. However, in professional football, there’s no need for recruitment. It primarily revolves around tactics and effectively managing player rosters.”
The 57-year-old coach also opened up about the adverse effects his time in Jacksonville had on his mental well-being. Meyer shared, “I also experienced bouts of depression during that period… It really takes a toll on your spirit. I tried to rationalize it by telling myself that setbacks are part of the NFL experience. The Jaguars even faced a 20-game losing streak at one point. It’s truly distressing to think about.”
Critics often targeted Meyer for applying a collegiate approach with the Jaguars, evident in his use of motivational slogans throughout the facilities and attributing losses to his assistant coaches rather than the players. His time with the team culminated in a discouraging five-game losing streak.
