JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It’s not a fantasy, or an city legend.
City Meyer, the Jaguars’ new coach, is bringing a brand new period to the Jaguars. He and Jaguars’ proprietor Shad Khan spoke publicly Friday for the first time since Thursday’s announcement.
Each are optimistic they will flip the staff round from worst to first, and plenty of followers are excited — as are Jacksonville companies.
Matthew Smith, the co-owner of Sports activities Mania in Jacksonville Seaside, says enterprise depends on the Jags’ success.
“It’s been a troublesome 12 months,” Smith stated.
He’s seen a dip in gross sales because of the pandemic, and due to some dismal seasons.
However he’s already observed pleasure across the staff’s new head coach and he started selling Urban Meyer T-shirts in a single day.
“We’re excited to have City Meyer come and provides our metropolis and our small household enterprise a resurgence,” Smith stated.
String Sports activities Brewery in Springfield revolves round sports activities, clearly. Simply miles away from TIAA Financial institution Discipline, supervisor Scott Adeeb says the Jaguars imply huge enterprise for house and away video games.
“Even this final 12 months with a 1-and-15 season, we nonetheless get a great Jaguars crowd out right here,” Adeeb stated.
He hopes the brand new rent — together with the seemingly Trevor Lawrence draft for quarterback — will flip up the warmth.
“If you happen to have been to inform me two months in the past we have been gonna commerce out Doug Marrone and Mike Glennon for City Meyer and probably Trevor Lawrence — I’m fired up,” Adeeb stated.
Some followers have considerations about Meyer’s longevity after he left successful groups on the College of Florida and Ohio State abruptly, citing well being causes. Meyer addressed that in his opening information convention.
“Nicely in the event you’re asking me if I’m going to take pleasure in shedding, I believe everyone knows the reply to that. I’m older, it’s one thing I’m going to be very conscientious of, one thing I’m going to look at very intently,” Meyer stated. “I would be the head coach however I’m going to rent nice coaches which are going to be anticipated to do their job, I’m not going to be operating round like a nut on the observe area. These days are gone.”
Khan says everyone seems to be invested.
“I believe actions converse louder than phrases,” Khan stated. “I’ve been right here 9 years. We’ve not received, nevertheless it’s not due to lack of effort. The place we’re at the moment it’s positioning us to win sooner or later.”
Followers that spoke with News4Jax responded positively.
“It reveals progress and alter in route,” stated Mike Gaskell, a fan. “Hopefully change is nice. It does present indicators of attempting one thing for the long run.”
“It’s an enormous title. I believe It’s good for the group. He’s obtained a great report. We’ll see how he does within the execs,” stated Jaguars fan Dwight Schober.
Khan formally launched the previous Florida and Ohio State soccer coach Friday morning, saying he has confidence Meyer will flip the staff round.
“He’s the person we would like and want in Jacksonville, and as you’ll see shortly, he needs the problem,” Khan stated.
Regardless of the worst season in franchise historical past, the Jaguars ticket workplace has skilled “8x the traditional variety of season ticket deposits.”
Half got here up to now 24 hours.
The staff ought to be asking present season ticket holders to resume their seats in March.
Meyer fielded questions and considerations about his well being, which brought about him to depart two teaching jobs. He was additionally requested about he making the transition to from school to the NFL. He stated followers will just like the product they see on the sphere.
Vic Micolucci: How do you earn them (followers) again within the stadium?
“The town of Jacksonville has achieved an ideal job after they see that Jaguar emblem. There’s a way of delight,” Meyer stated.
Meyer says the following couple weeks will probably be big for the franchise as he and Shad Khan have to rent their teaching workers and a normal supervisor.
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