Urban Meyer was feeling nostalgic after his first win as an NFL head coach.
The Jaguars beat the Dolphins on Sunday at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, 23-20, and Meyer compared the postgame atmosphere to winning a title in college.
“I think it was,” Meyer said when asked if Sunday’s win was as emotional as his big NCAA wins. “Maybe even including some of those [national championships].”
Before he joined the Jaguars as head coach for the 2021 season, Meyer won three national championships in the college ranks – two as head coach at Florida (in 2006 and 2008) and one with Ohio State (2014).
Sunday’s last-second win on kicker Matthew Wright’s 53-yard field goal marked the first victory for Jacksonville this season, pushing the team to 1-5.
Meyer was especially proud of the team’s efforts in the absence of multiple starters — including center Brandon Linder, guard A.J. Cann, wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. and linebacker Myles Jack.
Ben Bartch started in place of Cann, but was sidelined in the second quarter after suffering a concussion. He was replaced by fourth-year veteran Will Richardson Jr.
“It was celebration of overcoming [some tough circumstances],” Meyer said. “A lot of guys, a lot of people invested a lot into this organization – and it was great to see that. I just kind of stared at them. I just really enjoyed watching them.”
Jacksonville’s Week 6 win came after a media firestorm surrounding Meyer’s off-field activities.
Earlier this month, Meyer publicly apologized to the team and his family after video footage showed him drinking at bar while a 24-year-old woman danced on his lap.
At the time, Jaguars owner Shad Khan said Meyer needed to earn back the trust and respect of the team.
The Jaguars visit Seattle on Halloween in Week 8 following their Week 7 bye.