When Urban Meyer was fired as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Wednesday night, it was announced that Darrell Bevell wouls take over as interim head coach for the remainder of the season. This would make it two seasons in a row that Bevell has stepped into the interim role, having done so with the Detroit Lions last year.
Bevell has a lot to help the Jaguars move on from, including the strained relationship that Meyer created with the players. The interim coach met with the media on Thursday following practice and tried to put the Urban Meyer era behind everyone, even if he added one last anecdote that fit pretty well with what we know about the former Jaguars coach.
#Jaguars interim HC Darrell Bevell said that Urban Meyer left before last night's meetings and never returned. No one knew what happened until late last night.
They game planned without him.
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) December 16, 2021
Darrell Bevell confirms that Urban Meyer left the Jaguars facility after practice yesterday and never returned, leaving staff to prep without him.
Heard they were in the dark as to where he was and what was happening.
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) December 16, 2021
Bevell got to work saying that he plans to treat James Robinson like the starting running back that he is and that he doesn’t agree with the assessment that Trevor Lawrence has regressed. Bevell was also very diplomatic, saying he had a great experience coaching with Meyer and has a lot of respect for him.
Bevell: I had a great experience with Meyer… have a lot of respect for him and what he did for me and my family… today's a new day and everything we are looking at is moving forward #Jaguars #HOUvsJAX
— J.P. Shadrick (@jpshadrick) December 16, 2021
However, there was one question in particular that Bevell did his best not to react to but couldn’t help it.
“I did the math and I think you have a good chance of finishing with more career wins as an interim coach than Urban had as a head coach,” said AP reporter Mark Long. Bevell’s reaction said it all.
This is the first thing #Jaguars interim HC Darrell Bevell was told at his press conference today. Even reporters are dunking on Urban Meyer…pic.twitter.com/xrldiCbyNT
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 16, 2021
And there were plenty more people with reactions to the moment and Bevell’s introduction on social media.
Darrell Bevell did nothing wrong https://t.co/fBdnn0mdIQ
— John P Gilbert (@JohnPGilbertNFL) December 16, 2021
That’s Super Bowl winner Darrell Bevell, to Urban Meyer https://t.co/zVWyf7dBDX
— alexSSN (@alexSSN) December 16, 2021
Lions players were so happy for Darrell Bevell (and themselves) when he replaced Matt Patricia.
The mood in Jacksonville seems like that: https://t.co/X4yTOt1Okb
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 16, 2021
Darrell Bevell in this clip https://t.co/XI6QoLvUnp pic.twitter.com/NAHFJTEkq4
— Joe Fann (@Joe_Fann) December 16, 2021
Bevell actually takes over at a good time to try to get some wins in Jacksonville. The Jaguars host the Houston Texans on Sunday and then take on the New York Jets next week. It’s reasonable to think the Jaguars could win or both of those games. And if that happens, the Urban Meyers jokes will continue…
