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According to a report via NFL Network’s Ian Rappoport and Tom Pelissero, the Jaguars will meet with former Ohio State and Florida head coach Urban Meyer today, the first reported in-person meeting between the franchise and the future College Football HOF coach.
The #Jaguars and Urban Meyer have been in communication recently. But an in-person meeting can accelerate everything. https://t.co/HUq628WSt3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2021
This was an expected move as the Jaguars continue their search for a new head coach after letting go of Doug Marrone on Monday. Meyer’s name has been linked to the franchise since before the end of the season, and this interview appears to be the potential next step in the process.
According to Pelissero, “no deal is imminent with Meyer,” and the Jaguars do still have one more interview scheduled. San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is scheduled to interview for the team’s head coaching vacancy on Friday.
The Jaguars will also have an opportunity to interview other coordinators from playoff teams following the weekend.
The Jaguars, and owner Shad Khan, have already conducted interviews with a few head coaching candidates, including Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy and Atlanta Falcons interim head coach Robert Morris.
They’ve also asked to speak with Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Authur Smith, who they will not be able to interview until after this weekend. According to a report, Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll is also thought to be “high” on the team’s wish list.
The Jaguars will search far and wide for their head coach and general manager, who Khan says ideally will be hired at the same time. While Meyer may not become the team’s head coach today, an in-person interview is a huge step in that direction.