In a statement posted to the team’s website early Thursday, Jaguars owner Shad Khan confirmed the firing and said offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has been named interim head coach through the end of the season.
“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’s statement read. “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 the team’s general manager “and will work with [Bevell] to ensure that our team will be inspired and competitive while representing Jacksonville proudly over our final four games of the season,” Khan said in the statement.
“In the spirit of closure and recharging our players, staff and fan base, I will not comment further until some point following the conclusion of the NFL season,” the statement concluded.
According to ESPN, the news broke just hours after the Tampa Bay Times reported that ex-Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo said Meyer, 57, kicked his leg during warm-ups ahead of a preseason practice session. Meyer also made headlines in late September when he was shown behaving inappropriately with a woman at an Ohio bar in a video that circulated online, the AP reported.
Meyer, who won three national championships during his time as a college coach, went 2-11 in his 13 games with the Jaguars, according to the AP. This was his first season as an NFL coach.
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years Here are some memorable moments from Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer's life in the public eye. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2005: Florida coach Urban Meyer applauds a play against Florida State on November 26, 2005, in Gainesville, Florida. (A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2006: Florida coach Urban Meyer makes a point with umpire Rimas Kozica during play against Iowa in the 2006 Outback Bowl on January 2 in Tampa. Florida defeated Iowa 31-24 . (A. Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2007: Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer speaks to the media and holds the trophy the day after the BCS Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on January 8, 2007. The Gators won the game 41-14. (Gene Lower/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2008: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide congratulates head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators after the Gators' 31-20 win in the SEC Championship on December 6, 2008, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2009: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators gets Gatorade dumped on him by his teammates towards the end of the game against the Oklahoma Sooners in the FedEx BCS National Championship Game at Dolphin Stadium on January 8, 2009, in Miami. The Gators won the game by a score of 24-14. (Donald Miralle/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2010: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Florida Gators hoists the trophy after the Gators defeated the Bearcats 24-51 in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisana Superdome on January 1, 2010, in New Orleans. (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2011: In this handout photo provided by Disney Parks, ESPN college football analyst and former University of Florida football coach, Urban Meyer, "Albert" the University of Florida mascot and Denver Broncos quarterback and former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow attend "ESPN the Weekend" on March 5, 2011, at Disney's Hollywood Studios Park at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. (Mark Ashman/Disney Parks via Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2012: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with his players after beating the Michigan State Spartans 17-16 at Spartan Stadium on September 29, 2012, in East Lansing, Michigan. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2013: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans shakes hands with head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes after defeating the Buckeyes 34-24 to win the Big 10 Conference Championship Game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2013, in Indianapolis. (Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2014: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes lifts the Stagg Championship Trophy in celebration of his team 59-0 win over the Wisconsin Badgers in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 6, 2014, in Indianapolis. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2015: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes hoists the trophy after defeating the Oregon Ducks 42-20 in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium on January 12, 2015, in Arlington, Texas. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2016: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes holds the Fiesta Bowl trophy after the BattleFrog Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on January 1, 2016, in Glendale, Arizona. The Ohio State Buckeyes beat the Notre Dame Fighting Irish 44-28. (Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2017: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes celebrates with the trophy after their 27-21 win over the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 2, 2017, in Indianapolis. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2018: Head coach Urban Meyer of the Ohio State Buckeyes holds the Big Ten Championship trophy after defeating the Northwestern Wildcats during the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 1, 2018, in Indianapolis. (Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2019: Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Urban Meyer with the Rose Bowl trophy celebrates winning the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2019, in Pasadena, California. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2020: Jay-Z and Urban Meyer attend Mike Rubin's Fanatics Super Bowl Party at Loews Miami Beach Hotel on February 01, 2020, in Miami Beach, Florida. (Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Fanatics)
Photos: Urban Meyer through the years 2021: Head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars Urban Meyer looks on during Jacksonville Jaguars Mandatory Minicamp at TIAA Bank Field on June 14, 2021, in Jacksonville, Florida. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)