Myles Jack: Jaguars' dysfunction with Urban Meyer and beyond impacted performance on field

  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack believes the dysfunction that reigned throughout the season significantly impacted their performance on the field.

The Urban Meyer era earlier this season clearly was a distraction from the viral videos from a Columbus, Ohio bar showing a woman, not his wife, dancing up close on him to his decision not to fly back with the team after their 24-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 4.

''I'd say that this organization, that dysfunction leads to us beating ourselves,'' Jack said Thursday. ''We have to tighten up a lot of the little things that end up becoming big things, you know what I mean. So if I was like to say what needs to be fixed that would be it.''

On the field, the Jaguars couldn't seem to get out of their own way from coverage busts, too many men on the field penalties, turnovers and dropped passes. With the season finale scheduled for Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field, the Jaguars fan base are fed enough with the 2021 season of fiasco's that a potential significant number are planning to show up for Sunday's game in clown outfits.

Clown fest expected: Some Jaguars fans preparing to wear clown outfits to protest Shad Khan at Sunday's game

Next steps: After losing midseason momentum, Jacksonville Jaguars defense may be due for rebuild

Lacking firepower: Jaguars offense could end up as lowest-scoring unit in franchise history

Asked what are some of the attributes he would like to see in the Jaguars' next head coach, Jack said they just want someone who is all about winning.

''We just need No. 1, a leader of men,'' Jack said. ''Somebody, when they say something, it holds weight. Like is everything detailed, you can tell like it is a finished product. No. 2, it's got to be somebody who is just about ball. You know what I mean? It's about winning. We just got to win. All that player-friendly and he's a nice coach, we don't really care about all that.''

Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) puts on his helmet during the second quarter on Nov. 28 against Atlanta.
Jaguars linebacker Myles Jack (44) puts on his helmet during the second quarter on Nov. 28 against Atlanta.

A person familiar with the situation confirmed the Jaguars interviewed former Philadelphia Eagles coach Doug Pederson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles and former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell. Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is expected to be interviewed next week.

Jack said when the exit interviews occur after the season ends Sunday, he plans to speak to owner Shad Khan on what they need in a new head coach going forward. Jack confirmed Thursday that Khan met with the team recently.

''It was basically, like you know, finish out the year strong and do what you need to do,'' Jack said. ''So yeah, when do have an opportunity to speak to him, I definitely will be one of the first people to say that for sure if that question (about what they need in the next coach) comes about.''

Jack, a former second-round pick, has been with the franchise since 2016 and during the span has played for four different head coaches: Gus Bradley, Doug Marrone, Urban Meyer and current interim head coach Darrell Bevell.

At 2-14, the can clinch the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year if they lose to the Colts. Also, the Jaguars cannot finish worst than landing the No. 2 overall pick in the 2022 draft.

''It's definitely not a situation you would want to be in, but I mean it is obviously part of me because nobody knows what's going to happen,'' Jack said. ''It's going to be a new coach and nobody knows position wise in anything. It could be a whole new group of new people in hear and you may or may not fit their scheme.''

Starting middle linebacker Damien Wilson said regardless whom the next coach might be, they have to get better at everything especially defensively.

"Without a doubt it was a tough season," Wilson said. "As far as something that went wrong, I don't think it's just one thing that you can put your finger on. It's like a collection of things. Sometimes us as a defense let the offense down or special teams let the defense down. But we've got to be greedy; we want to get better at everything."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars: Myles Jack says dysfunction impacted 2021 season