The Jacksonville Jaguars and Urban Meyer are in advanced talks to see if they can finalize a deal this week, sources in Adam Schefter’s league told ESPN.
After another meeting with the Jaguars on Wednesday, Meyer is very interested in the opportunity to train in the NFL, sources said.
There were regular communications and interactions between the two sides, sources said, and Meyer gathered a staff of coaches, including several college assistants, in case he decides to take the Jaguars job.
Meyer won three national championships and set a record of 187-32 college coaches during the seasons at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio. He won two of these titles (2006, 2008) with the Gators, which he led to a record of 65-15 in six seasons. He also led the Buckeyes to the 2014 national title and compiled an 83-9 record in seven seasons in Columbus.
Jaguar owner Shad Khan fired Doug Marrone on January 4 after Jacksonville ended its worst season in franchise history (1-15). Marrone had a 25-44 record (including playoffs) in four seasons with the Jaguars.
The Jaguars gave up a franchise record of 492 points, becoming the fifth team since the NFL expanded to a 16-game program in 1978 to allow at least 20 points in each game, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Offensively, the Jaguars ranked 28th or worse in meters per game, rushing and scoring. They finished 21st in passing, which is largely a product of the withdrawal in the games and had to abandon the race.
Information from Michael DiRocco of ESPN was used in this report.