Dead End in Duval

Urban Meyer’s very brief tenure with a perennially struggling franchise is over.

The Jaguars lured him out of retirement in January with an annual salary estimated to be between $9-12 million. If true, he was one of the top five highest-paid NFL coaches.

Now, just hours after a report surfaced that he had kicked his former kicker Josh Lambo, Meyer was fired overnight.

If his off-field issues and questionable decisions weren’t the final straw, he was also unable to improve on last season’s 1-15 record.

• The Jags are 2-11 — tied for the AFC’s worst record.
• The offense has sputtered, ranking 30th in yards per game (303.1) and 31st in points per game (13.8).
• The team ranks dead last in turnover margin (-19).
• RB James Robinson — often seen as the team’s best offensive weapon and averaging 4.8 YPC — was notably benched for ineffective veteran Carlos Hyde, who played for Meyer at Ohio State.

The former OSU boss is the latest college coach who failed to pan out at the pro level: Since 2000, collegiate transplants are a combined 237-258-2 in the NFL.

Moving forward, Jacksonville will likely want to secure a head coach who can properly develop 2021 No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence — the QB’s 14 INT are tied for the league high.

That’s the most likely remedy for a franchise that has made the playoffs once in the last 13 seasons.