Jacksonville Jaguars hire Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as next head coach after apparent change of heart
3 min readThe Jacksonville Jaguars made a surprising move by hiring Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach, the team confirmed on Friday. This decision follows a dramatic turn of events, as Coen had previously backed out of consideration for the position, opting to return to the Buccaneers with a salary increase. However, the Jaguars’ decision to fire general manager Trent Baalke—who had been the subject of significant criticism—played a crucial role in changing Coen’s mind.
The firing of Baalke, a move that took many by surprise given his retention at the end of the season, allowed Coen the opportunity to have a say in choosing his own general manager. This flexibility appears to have been a deciding factor, prompting the 39-year-old to reconsider his stance. The following day, Coen returned to Jacksonville for a meeting, ultimately accepting the role.
“I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville,” said Jaguars owner Shad Khan. “Actions speak louder than words, and that’s why I took swift and decisive action this week to hire Liam Coen as our new head coach.” Khan expressed his excitement about Coen’s appointment, stating that the coach’s leadership will help create a winning environment that Jaguars fans deserve.
Coen, for his part, was enthusiastic about the opportunity. “Becoming the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars is an opportunity of a lifetime, and one that I am going to run with to instill a championship culture and winning tradition here in Duval,” Coen said. He expressed gratitude toward the Buccaneers organization and coach Todd Bowles for the experiences and support he received during his time in Tampa Bay. However, Coen emphasized his eagerness to work with the Jaguars, pledging to establish a strong football culture and a competitive team.
As part of his plan for the team, Coen stated he would hire a high-quality coaching staff and build a brand of football that is effective on both sides of the ball. He made it clear that the Jaguars’ players would be expected to fully embrace the team’s colors and culture, promising fans a team they could be proud of.
Coen was considered one of the top coaching candidates in this year’s cycle due to the success he achieved in Tampa Bay. In his first season as offensive coordinator, he helped the Buccaneers finish among the top four teams in the NFL for total yards, passing yards, and rushing yards per game. Tampa Bay finished with a 10-7 record, winning the NFC South and earning a spot in the playoffs. Quarterback Baker Mayfield experienced a career year under Coen’s guidance, posting personal bests in passing yards (4,500) and touchdowns (41).
Coen now faces the challenge of developing Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville’s promising yet inconsistent quarterback. The former No. 1 overall draft pick has had an up-and-down career so far, struggling with accuracy and injuries while the team posted a disappointing 4-13 record in 2024. Lawrence signed a lucrative contract extension last offseason, signaling the Jaguars’ long-term commitment to him as the franchise quarterback. Now, Coen will need to help Lawrence reach his potential and lead the team to success.
The Jaguars parted ways with Doug Pederson after a difficult season, marking the end of his three-year tenure as head coach. Pederson, who had been hired in 2022 to turn around the struggling team, was let go after the Jaguars failed to improve significantly, finishing with a poor record in 2024.
With Coen now at the helm, the Jaguars are hoping for a fresh start and a new direction. The team’s focus will be on building a stronger offense, improving Lawrence’s development, and creating a culture of success that has eluded them in recent years. Coen’s proven track record with the Buccaneers has given Jacksonville fans hope that the franchise can return to competitiveness and build a team capable of contending for championships in the near future.
About The Author
