Urban Meyer won’t get $30 million for being terrible at his job.
The former Jaguars head coach lost a $30 million-plus arbitration case against the franchise after they fired him following just 13 games during the 20121 season, according to On3.
The sides disagreed on whether the Jaguars’ “for cause” explanation held legal validity since that would negate what they owed him according to the terms of his contract.
Meyers, 61, signed a five-year deal worth approximately $10 million-$12 million per season ahead of the 2021 season, according to USA Today.
He went just 2-11 with the franchise, with more controversies than wins.
Meyer went viral for being photographed with a woman who wasn’t on his wife grinding on him at a bar after not flying home with team after a game in Cincinnati, generated $300,000 in fines — $100,000 for him, $200,000 for the team — for violating the NFL’s no-contact practice rules and former kicker Josh Lambo alleged that Meyer kicked him in the leg during a practice, among other issues.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan attempted to make it clear that the December firing of Meyer did not stem specifically from the report of Meyer’s alleged actions from Lambo that came the day before.
Lambo’s agent said he told the team in August of the incident, meaning it would be hard to push “for cause” if the team made no move for four months.
“The decision by Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan to dismiss Urban Meyer was made the evening of Sunday, December 12,” Khan’s spokesperson, Jim Woodcock at the time, as relayed by Pro Football Talk. “It was determined to wait until the conclusion of previously scheduled appointments that week to make the announcement. Those appointments included an employee staff luncheon and meeting with Jacksonville media, both to recognize the 10th anniversary of Shad’s purchase of the Jaguars, on Monday, December 13, as well as NFL meetings in Dallas on December 14 and 15.
“The announcement was made at 12:35 a.m. Eastern on Thursday, December 16, to provide coaches and staff alike a fresh start upon reporting to the stadium that morning. Contrary to incorrect assumptions and widespread egregious reporting the dismissal was not triggered by a single newspaper report late Wednesday afternoon related to a claim made by a former player. To repeat from Shad’s official statement, the decision was reached after deliberation over many weeks and a thorough analysis of the entirety of Urban’s tenure with our team.”
This arbitration hearing featured Meyer, Lambo, Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik, punter Logan Cooke and former general manager Trent Baalke, according to On3.
Pro Football Talk noted that Meyer could challenge the ruling in court, since this outcome came via an “independent” arbitrator, according to On3.
