Things are already jacked up in Jacksonville.
According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, Urban Meyer’s Jaguars tenure has gotten off to a bit of a rocky start, with coaches and players seemingly very disproving with the first-year head coach’s grating demeanor during the preseason, practices and in meetings.
La Canfora reports that Meyer’s temper has allowed for “red flags” early on as head coach, with some questioning his ability to last an entire season given his summer strife with the team.
MORE: Why Jaguars’ Urban Meyer experiment is already the butt of NFL jokes
“There is a disconnect at times between the members of the staff with extensive pro experience and those who lack it, and morale has suffered as the outbursts have continued,” La Canfora reports. “His fiery remarks to players and coaches after games have already struck many as bizarre.”
La Canfora, citing sources, reported that Meyer has threatened the job security of members of his staff following preseason losses, going on to “belittle coaches.” Meyer has had trouble figuring out the timing with installation and other NFL scheduling items, as well, causing delays and further causing difficulties for the coaching staff.
Also irking members of Jacksonville is Meyer’s seemingly control-freak attitude, with Meyer taking over practice drills when they’re not run to his exact specifications and expectations. There are also questions surrounding Meyer’s grasp on NFL personnel with the team, according to La Canfora.
“He has everyone looking over their shoulders already,” a source told CBS. “He becomes unhinged way too easily, and he doesn’t know how to handle losing, even in the preseason. He loses it and wants to take over the drills himself. It’s not good.”
MORE: It’s not the first time we’ve heard of Urban Meyer’s troubles with players
A long-time and incredibly successful college head coach, Meyer makes his foray into the NFL sphere this year, his first as Jacksonville head coach. With the Jaguars hiring Meyer and selecting prodigy Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick, they signaled a new era of Jacksonville football.
Unfortunately, it seemingly hasn’t gotten off to a great start for all involved.