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Urban Meyer retired from coaching in early 2019 after winning a Rose Bowl with Ohio State but might be on his way to the NFL sooner than later. The three-time national title-winning head coach reportedly turned down the Texas job but is open to an opportunity on the professional level. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported this morning that at least two franchises are interested in hiring Meyer.
NFL teams are eyeing former Ohio State HC Urban Meyer for head-coach openings:https://t.co/34bjog4oVf
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2020
While the interest is there, it doesn’t necessarily mean that he will jump into accepting a position this week. It’s going to take time, negotiation and the right opportunity, but Meyer is expected to let the league know whether he plans on coaching or not. Per Schefter:
“Meyer, according to a source connected to one of those teams, did not dismiss the overtures and is considering whether to make the jump to the NFL. He intends to decide in the next week, before the NFL regular season is over, and teams expect to hear his decision in the coming days.”
The full list of teams that are in pursuit of Meyer is unknown, but Kyle Rowland of The Blade reports that Jacksonville is one, and that the interest may be mutual. It would make a lot of sense, as Trevor Lawrence is expected to end up with the Jaguars in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, it is possible that the Jets could still earn the No. 1 pick and will likely need a new coach, the Chargers have Justin Herbert and could move on from Anthony Lynn, and the Lions are in the mix. In fact, Detroit recently hired Chris Spielman as the assistant to Lions owner and CEO Sheila Ford Hamp, which brings a pretty direct tie to the situation.
Spielman has expressed his love for Meyer in the past and was very vocal in support of the former Buckeyes head coach amidst the Zac Smith debacle in Columbus that ultimately led to a short suspension in his final season.
Meyer is 56 years old and won 187 of his 219 games at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida and Ohio State. He went 83-9 in seven years in his last stop.