USA TODAY Sports
Former Ohio and Florida coach Urban Meyer met the Jaguars on Friday. For days, it was believed that the job of coach there was his, if he wanted to.
The fact that the Jaguars made no effort to resist this belief tends to confirm it, and all eyes remain on whether Meyer will decide to take the position.
Pending a final decision, he is getting his ducks in a row. According to a league source, it is believed that Meyer would hire Jaguars GM Trent Baalke, former GM Chiefs Scott Pioli, former Browns GM Ray Farmer, or assistant GM Jets Rex Hogan to become the new GM in Jacksonville.
Baalke would be an intriguing choice, as Meyer trained at Ohio State and Baalke and Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh have been mortal enemies since their time together in San Francisco. Pioli beat the executive of the year several times during his tenure with the Patriots.
According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, Meyer has been setting up a technical commission if he decides to take the job.
Earlier this week, we reported that Meyer is seeking $ 12 million a year. At least one other reporter tried to push back, calling the number “not relevant and fake”. Which means Meyer may want $ 12 million a year, but he’s not getting it.
So the question is whether Meyer will accept what he gets – or whether he will continue to push for $ 12 million a year.
Again, $ 12 million a year is not unreasonable. Last year, the Panthers paid former Baylor coach Matt Rhule $ 9 million a year. If the Jaguars really believe Meyer is the answer, they will be happy to pay that amount. That said, unless another team is pushing for Meyer’s services (and apparently there isn’t) and if Meyer has decided he’s ready to give the NFL a try, whatever Jacksonville offers may be the best he can get.