Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio remaining in Jacksonville after meeting with owner Wayne Weaver

Jags’ Del Rio says he is staying in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jack Del Rio says he will remain as coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars after a meeting with team owner Wayne Weaver.

The two met Tuesday amid reports that Del Rio, a Southern California alumnus, was the leading candidate to succeed Pete Carroll as coach at USC. Carroll left the Trojans to coach the Seattle Seahawks.

The L.A. Daily News reported Tuesday that USC had sent Del Rio a contract Monday night. The newspaper said Del Rio hadn’t accepted the job because his NFL contract could be a stumbling block. Del Rio had denied USC gave him a contract.

The Jaguars ended the season on a four-game losing streak and faded out of playoff contention. If Weaver had fired Del Rio, he would have been owed more than $15 million.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Jacksonville Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio and team owner Wayne Weaver are scheduled to meet to discuss the coach’s future with the franchise.

The Tuesday morning meeting comes amid reports that Del Rio, a Southern California alumnus, is the leading candidate to succeed Pete Carroll as coach at USC. Carroll left the Trojans to coach the Seattle Seahawks.

The L.A. Daily News reported Tuesday that USC sent Del Rio a contract Monday night. The newspaper said Del Rio hasn’t accepted the job yet because his NFL contract could be a stumbling block.

“That’s all speculation and hype,” Del Rio told WJXT-TV as he arrived for work Tuesday morning. “I’m getting ready to go in, we’re working on our offseason plan right now. Met with my coaching staff yesterday, (general manager) Gene Smith yesterday, gonna meet with Mr. Weaver later. Got our player evaluations taking place tomorrow. It’s business as usual in terms of going through our offseason, making plans for building this team stronger going forward.”

Del Rio also denied USC gave him a contract.

“All of those things are manufactured,” he said. “Only thing I can tell you is I’ve been busy working on the Jaguars for 2010, meeting with my staff, meeting with Gene Smith, we’re going to meet with Mr. Weaver. We’re busy at work, trying to build this team strong.

“All of those other things are a figment of other people’s imaginations.”

The Jaguars ended the season on a four-game losing streak and faded out of playoff contention. If Weaver fires Del Rio, he would be owed more than $15 million.

Weaver declined to speculate on Del Rio’s future.

“Look, you know I’m not going to get into those things,” he said. “Jack Del Rio is our coach right now.”