JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A newfound focus. It was the overall message that coaching staff and Jacksonville Jaguar had for members of the media Thursday after the firing of Head Coach Urban Meyer.
Interim Head Coach Darrell Bevell, QB Trevor Lawrence and OLB Shaquem Griffin spoke at the team's first media availability after Meyer was fired just hours after the news broke he physically assaulted a former player.
Team owner Shad Khan confirmed Wednesday night that Bevell will serve as interim head coach after a controversial few months with Meyer.
Bevell began the news conference Thursday by thanking the Khan family for the opportunity to lead the team for the next few weeks. He said there are some great guys in the locker room and great coaches.
He even thanked Meyer for bringing him into the franchise.
"When these things happen they are never ideal, it was a tough and difficult decision," said Bevell. "Today is a new day... we are moving forward."
He said the team is putting all focus into the upcoming game against the Texans. When asked how the players are handling the loss of Meyer, Bevell said anytime there are distractions, it can impact practice
However, he said the guys showed up Thursday afternoon to practice in the rain and gave it their all.
Lawrence spoke following Bevell.
"I respect Coach Meyer and everything he's done for me, he drafted me, I wish him nothing but the best... changes had to be made," he said.
When asked about the attitude of the locker room he said that it was definitely "different" and "weird."
He referenced Marvin Jones Jr. who came from the Detroit Lions in 2020, went through this same thing last year when Bevell took over for the fired coach Matt Patricia.
However, Lawrence said that overall the team is ready to move forward and focus on the next game.
"It's brought some clarity to the locker room, I wouldn't say relief but clarity," said Lawrence.
Meyer is out in Jacksonville after one season, finishing with a record of 2-11. Jaguars owner Shad Khan has confirmed that offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will serve as interim head coach.
"After deliberation over many weeks and a thorough analysis of the entirety of Urban’s tenure with our team, I am bitterly disappointed to arrive at the conclusion that an immediate change is imperative for everyone," Khan said in a statement released late Wednesday night. "I informed Urban of the change this evening. As I stated in October, regaining our trust and respect was essential. Regrettably, it did not happen."
Trent Baalke will continue to serve as general manager. Khan said he will have no further comment until after the conclusion of the NFL season.
Meyer leaves with a laundry list of accusations of dysfunctional leadership within the Jaguars organization. The NFL Network’s report on December 11 was the first, tangible ammunition against the three-time, national championship-winning head coach. NFLN’s Tom Pelissero reported, among other things: Meyer had had a heated confrontation with captain Marvin Jones, prompting the mild-mannered Jones to storm out of practice; it was Meyer who ordered the benching of 1,000-yard rusher James Robinson after the second fumble of his career; in a staff meeting, Meyer called assistant coaches “losers” and challenged them to defend their resumes.
Then, the Tampa Bay Times released a report that of former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo saying that Meyer kicked him during a preseason practice. First Coast News was the first and only TV station to interview Lambo.
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