Jacksonville Jaguars and Urban Meyer are in advanced talks to see if they can finalize a deal this week, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
After another meeting with the Jaguars on Wednesday, Meyer is very interested in the possibility of training in the NFL, sources reported.
There have been regular communications and interactions between the two sides, sources said, and Meyer has been meeting with a technical body, including some university attendees, in case he decides to take on the job of the Jaguars.
Meyer won three national championships and compiled a college coaching record of 187-32 during his stays in Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and the state of Ohio. He won two of these titles (2006, 2008) with the Gators, whom he set a 65-15 record in six seasons. He also led the Buckeyes to the 2014 national title and compiled an 83-9 record in seven seasons at Columbus.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan fired Doug Marrone on Jan. 4 after Jacksonville ended its worst season in franchise history (1-15). Marrone had a 25-44 record (including the playoffs) in four seasons with the Jaguars.
The Jaguars yielded a franchise record of 492 points, becoming the fifth team since the NFL expanded to 16 games in 1978 to allow at least 20 points in each game, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Offensively, the Jaguars ranked 28th or worse in yards per game, running and scoring. They qualified in 21st place in passing, which is largely the product of falling behind in matches and having to leave the race.
This report used information from Michael DiRocco of ESPN.