Jags Owner Claims Josh Lambo’s Story Was Not The Final Straw That Led To Urban Meyer’s Firing

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan issued another statement Friday night clarifying the timing of his decision to fire Urban Meyer as the team's head coach.

Hours before Meyer was fired, the Tampa Bay Times published a story that detailed claims made by former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo that Meyer kicked the player during warmups.

Lambo spent five seasons with the team and was named second-team All-Pro in 2019, but was released as Meyer took over after getting a rough start in the preseason.

“I’m in a lunge position. Left leg forward, right leg back … Urban Meyer, while I’m in that stretch position, comes up to me and says, ‘Hey Dipsh*t, make your f*cking kicks!’ And kicks me in the leg,” Lambo said to the newspaper.

Khan issued a statement Friday asserting that his decision to fire Meyer wasn't in response to Lambo's allegations, though. Yardbarker reports that Khan said he made the decision to fire Meyer on Sunday night, but waited to make the announcement public until after an NFL owners’ meeting.

Meyer — who was hired by the team in January 2021 — went just 2–11 during his tenure as the Jaguars' coach, and his 13-game stint with the franchise was filled with plenty of drama.

Meyer has his first controversy since taking the position shortly after his hiring as he defended the hiring former Iowa strength coach Chris Doyle — Doyle was accused of making racist remarks and belittling and bullying players.

He let his team depart Ohio without him and stayed back to hang out with females that were not his wife, it appeared ... because it went viral. Meyer issued a formal apology for blowing off steam at the bar where he was recorded seemingly enjoying a grind session with a blonde days later.

There were reports Meyer had multiple intense run-ins with the Jaguars’ players and coaches, with some mentioning Meyer called them “losers.” Meyer denies this.

Darrell Bevell will serve as interim head coach for the remainder of the season, the team announced Thursday.

"Trent Baalke continues as our general manager and will work with Darrell 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 a Thursday 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."

Follow Meg Turner on Twitter @Megnturner_ and Instagram @Megnturner.

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