Duval County

Jacksonville area natives, Gators on Urban Meyer’s ‘08 team talk coach’s transition to NFL

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Urban Meyer was introduced as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars Friday morning.

In 2008, Meyer secured his second national title as the head coach of the Florida Gators.

Action News Jax spoke to two key pieces of that national championship team, who are also from Northeast Florida.

Former Gators kicker, Caleb Sturgis, grew up in St. Augustine, and former Gators linebacker, Brandon Hicks, is from Jacksonville.

”There for a little while on the football side, you just never felt like you were going to lose,” Sturgis said.

”It’s like, Urban Meyer has this aura about him. Like, you know he’s about business. And you know he’s going to win,” Hicks said.

Both Sturgis and Hicks went on to play professional football in the NFL.

”It was a culture of grown men in my eyes because he never treated you like a child. He never treated you like a kid,” Hicks said. “He made you go through adversity, but triumph through it. And teach you how to go through it, not only in football, but in life.”

”Every time he gets in front of the team, he knows what he’s going to say,” Sturgis said. “You know, he doesn’t make it up as he goes along.”

”Do you think his success that he experienced in college will translate to the professional level?” Action News Jax reporter Ryan Nelson asked.

”Yeah, I think, first and foremost being in the NFL, the number-one thing is players. And I think Jacksonville’s in a really good position. Obviously, it’s no secret that Trevor Lawrence is probably going to be in a Jaguars uniform,” Sturgis said.

The former Gators praised his attention to detail, and his ability to get the most out of his players.

”I think that the Jaguars are in a great window right now to win,” Sturgis said.

”By him keeping that mentality and keeping those teachings strong, all he needs is just a team of unselfish guys, and I guarantee you, playoffs,” Hicks said.

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