Jaguars coach Chris Doyle resigns amidst controversy

One day after his hiring became official, Chris Doyle resigned as Jacksonville Jaguars’ director of sport performance.

The Jacksonville Jaguars made headlines on Thursday after hiring former University of Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle to become the team’s director of sport performance on Thursday. Doyle was accused of racial bias and bullying during his 21-year tenure at Iowa before leaving this past June. The hire did not sit well with many, and his tenure lasted a little over one day.

On Friday, Doyle officially resigned from the Jaguars’ coaching staff, per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

“Chris Doyle came to us this evening to submit his resignation and we have accepted,” said Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer in a statement, via the team’s official website. “Chris did not want to be a distraction to what we are building in Jacksonville. We are responsible for all aspects of our program and, in retrospect, should have given greater consideration to how his appointment may have affected all involved. We wish him the best as he moves forward in his career.”

Resignation comes hours after Fritz Pollard Alliance issues statement on Doyle hire

While speaking with the media on Thursday, Meyer fielded many questions about Doyle’s hiring, who the head coach said that he, general manager Trent Baalke and team owner Shad Khan “vetted him thoroughly.”

Earlier on Friday, Fritz Pollard Alliance executive director Rod Graves released a statement about the hiring of Doyle, calling it “unacceptable.” The Fritz Pollard Alliance is a foundation whose goal is to “champion diversity in the NFL,” per their official website.

“At a time when the NFL has failed to solve its problem with racial hiring practices, it is simply unacceptable to welcome Chris Doyle into the ranks of NFL coaches,” Graves’ statement read, via NFL.com. “Doyle’s departure from the University of Iowa reflected a tenure riddled with poor judgment and mistreatment of Black players. His conduct should be as disqualifying for the NFL as it was for University of Iowa. Urban Meyer’s statement, ‘I’ve known Chris for close to 20 years’ reflects the good ol’ boy network that is precisely the reason there is such a disparity in employment opportunities for Black coaches.”

Doyle left Iowa after numerous players came forward and accused him of making racist remarks towards players and for bullying them throughout his lengthy tenure. After being placed on administrative leave by the university on June 6, Doyle denied making racist comments. The former strength coach would leave the program on June 15 on a separation agreement, where he received a $1.1 million buyout.

With Doyle now resigning from the Jaguars job, it is unknown if the organization will look to fill the position.