Former College, NFL Coach Dennis Erickson Calls Jaguars ‘Perfect Situation’ For Urban Meyer

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former college football and NFL head coach Dennis Erickson called the Jacksonville Jaguars “a perfect situation” for former Utah head coach Urban Meyer.

Erickson discussed Meyer’s transition from the college game to the NFL during a recent interview with KSL Sports’ Kyle Ireland on the Yards After College Podcast.

Although he’s never coached in the league, the Jaguars officially named Meyer as the organization’s next head coach on January 14.

“I think it’s a perfect situation,” Erickson said. “I know Urban’s had other chances to go into the National Football League. There’s no question about it. But this franchise, Jacksonville, it’s a great area, as we all know. They’ve got some good young players. They’ll continue to get better. They don’t have any move, but to go up, and now he can build it from the bottom up.”

Erickson, who spent time in the NFL as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, added that Jacksonville will need to allow Meyer the necessary time to build his team.

“There’s gotta be patience,” Erickson said. “College football’s getting bad enough as far as hiring and firing guys and not giving them enough time. The NFL is worse. So they’ve got to make sure that they give him five years to get that thing where it needs to be, and it won’t take him that long, but he’s got to have some time. So he can build his own program.”

Success at every stop.@CSICompanies | @CoachUrbanMeyer pic.twitter.com/LaL4nUsf3F

— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) January 14, 2021

Like Meyer, Erickson won multiple national championships coaching in college.

He told Ireland that knowing how to win doesn’t change from the college level to the NFL.

“He (Meyer) knows what he’s got to do to win,” Erickson said. “Learning how to win is no different in the NFL than it is in college.”

Click here to listen to Ireland’s full conversation with Coach Erickson.

Official 🖋@CSICompanies | @CoachUrbanMeyer pic.twitter.com/O5bEO5hM6i

— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) January 15, 2021

Jacksonville Jaguars hire Urban Meyer

Meyer will replace Doug Marrone, who led the Jaguars to a 1-15 record in 2020.

Jacksonville earned the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft because of its league-worst record.

“I’m ready to coach the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Meyer said after he was hired. “Jacksonville has an enthusiastic fan base, and the fans deserve a winning team. With upcoming opportunities in the NFL Draft, and strong support from ownership, the Jaguars are well-positioned to become competitive. I’ve analyzed this decision from every angle — the time is right in Jacksonville, and the time is right for me to return to coaching. I’m excited about the future of this organization and our long term prospect for success.”

Fast.
Fearless.#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/UoIG6iOE8F

— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) January 15, 2021

Meyer last coached at Ohio State in January 2019.

After leaving Ohio State, Meyer worked as a college football analyst for FOX Sports.

"The Edge is where average stops and elite begins."@CoachUrbanMeyer dives into the competitive spirit and how it can turn a good player into a great player on Urban's Playbook 📝 #BigNoonKickoff pic.twitter.com/4zmOCb1NH1

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 5, 2020

Urban Meyer as a head coach

Meyer served as Utah’s head coach from 2003-04 and led the Utes to a 22-2 record in two seasons.

Happy Birthday, @CoachUrbanMeyer 🎂

Here's a little gem about the '04 Utes on Crimson Corner w/ @TrevorASports pic.twitter.com/fmJkO8AKen

— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 10, 2020

After his time in Salt Lake City, he went on to coach Florida to a pair of titles before taking a job with the Buckeyes. Meyer won a title with Ohio State in 2014.

During his time as head coach at Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State, Meyer had a record of 187-32.

His time with the Jaguars will be his first experience in the NFL.