A former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach will not receive a contract buyout following his dismissal just 13 games into a five-year deal in 2021, according to a Monday report from On3.com.
Urban Meyer, who had challenged the Jaguars’ choice to fire him “with cause,” was unsuccessful in his arbitration proceedings in a ruling that prevents the team from paying more than $30 million, the report stated.
Meyer, who captured three college football national titles at Florida (2006, 2008) and Ohio State (2014), was dismissed by Jacksonville on Dec. 16, 2021, following a 2-11 record to start the season.
His troubled NFL stint featured $300,000 in penalties for breaking offseason workout rules, a widely-circulated video showing him with a woman who was not his spouse at a bar, and missing a team flight back from Cincinnati following a defeat to the Bengals.
An abuse claim was also made by Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo, who subsequently detailed his alleged August 2021 incident with Meyer to the Tampa Bay Times.
“I’m in a lunge position. Left leg forward, right leg back,” he said. “… Urban Meyer, while I’m in that stretch position, comes up to me and says, ‘Hey, dips—, make your f—ing kicks!’ And kicks me in the leg. …
“It certainly wasn’t as hard as he could’ve done it, but it certainly wasn’t a love tap. Truthfully, I’d register it as a five (out of 10). Which in the workplace, I don’t care if it’s football or not, the boss can’t strike an employee. And for a second, I couldn’t believe it actually happened. Pardon my vulgarity, I said, ‘Don’t you ever f—ing kick me again!’ And his response was, ‘I’m the head ball coach, I’ll kick you whenever the f— I want.’”
Meyer disputed Lambo’s claims.
Those who provided testimony during the arbitration proceedings included Meyer, Lambo, former Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke, punter Logan Cooke and long snapper Ross Matiscik, according to the report.
Meyer maintains the option to contest the decision in court.
