The failed NFL coach will forever be known as a college legend.
Where Urban Meyer officially ranked in NFL hires of the past five years originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Urban Meyer’s legacy as one of college football’s most accomplished coaches was undercut by how poorly his transition to the NFL unfolded.
Meyer was ranked as the worst NFL coaching hire since 2021 by ESPN Bill Barnwell, a distinction stemming from his brief and chaotic tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Meyer lasted less than one season, compiling a 2-11 record before being fired in December of his first year.
“None of the coaches on this list were accused of physically assaulting their players, which puts Meyer in a world of his own,” Barnwell wrote. He added that Meyer appeared “completely disconnected from reality,” citing reports that he was unfamiliar with stars such as Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald and held offensive goals that were wildly unrealistic at the NFL level.
Meyer’s stint included public feuds with players and assistants, abandoning the team plane after a loss, signing former college quarterback Tim Tebow as a tight end and overseeing a rocky rookie season for No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence.
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The failure stood in stark contrast to Meyer’s college resume. He was recently inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and went 187-32 by winning three national championships at Florida and Ohio State. He joins fellow college icon Nick Saban as a reminder that dominance on Saturdays does not always translate to Sundays.
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Now an analyst on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, Meyer appears far more comfortable in his post-coaching role than he ever was on an NFL sideline.
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