Jaguars Head Coach Urban Meyer Denies Reports Of Tensions Within Locker Room

Urban Meyer’s first year in the NFL is going about as poorly as it possibly could. 

His Jacksonville Jaguars are 2-11, number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence just threw four interceptions in a 20-0 loss to the Tennessee Titans, and now Meyer is threatening to fire the individual who “leaked” team information over the weekend. 

On Saturday, reports surfaced that tensions within the locker room were boiling over, with Meyer and wide receiver Marvin Jones reportedly getting into a shouting match at practice due to Meyer’s criticism of the receiver group. Additionally, reports surfaced that Meyer blasted his coaching staff for being “losers,” challenging them to defend their resumes and prove to him when they’ve ever won. 

Meyer also benched running back James Robinson following an opening-drive fumble during the Jaguars 37-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in week 13. Meyer reportedly only allowed Robinson to return after Lawrence implored Meyer to insert Robinson back into the game on the sidelines. 

“Bottom line is James is one of our best players and he’s got to be on the field and we addressed it, and I feel like we’re in a good spot and the whole team, we’re good,” Lawrence said last week. 

Following Jacksonville’s shutout loss on Sunday, Meyer denied the allegations, threatening to fire the source behind the leaks. 

“What’s the answer [when things are going badly]? Start leaking information or some nonsense?” Meyer said after the game. “No. No, that’s nonsense. That’s garbage. I’ve been very blessed. I’ve not really dealt with that. I’ve not dealt with, ‘Well, did you hear what he said?’ What? No. Let’s improve on offense and get our quarterback in a position to be successful. That’s our focus.”

“What someone’s brother said, or someone said someone said, that will occupy very little of my time. And if there is a source, that source is unemployed. I mean, within seconds, if there’s some source that’s doing that.”

Meyer also denied calling his coaches “losers,” but admitting that he does “have high expectations for our coaches.” 

“Calling someone a loser, that’s inaccurate,” Meyer said. “I have high expectations for our coaches. I’m very demanding of our coaches and expect guys to be held accountable for their positions, and the times when they’re not, we address it. But I assure you there was not whatever report … that’s nonsense.”

Meyer agreed to return to coaching this offseason, his first stint in the NFL. Many questioned the hire at the time, considering Meyer had only coached in the college ranks in his career. 

He found himself in hot water earlier in the season when a video of Meyer surfaced at a bar with a young woman grinding against him. Meyer apologized to the team, but Jaguars owner Shad Khan said he would have to “regain our trust and respect.”

“I have addressed this matter with Urban,” Khan said in a statement. “Specifics of our conversation will be held in confidence. What I will say is his conduct last weekend was inexcusable. I appreciate Urban’s remorse, which I believe is sincere. Now, he must regain our trust and respect. That will require a personal commitment from Urban to everyone who supports, represents or plays for our team. I am confident he will deliver.”

Meyer coached in the college ranks for 17 seasons, winning two national championships with the Florida Gators and one as head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Joe Morgan is the Sports Reporter for The Daily Wire. Most recently, Morgan covered the Clippers, Lakers, and the NBA for Sporting News. Send your sports questions to [email protected].

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