Following a stunning turn of events, it sounds like Liam Coen is destined for Jacksonville. According to Dianna Russini of The Athletic, Coen is expected to be named as the next head coach of the Jaguars. Albert Breer of TheMMQB adds to this report, stating that the two sides have a verbal agreement in place. According to Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Coen has already informed the Buccaneers that he’ll be taking the job in Jacksonville.
The official announcement is “pending final negotiations,” with Russini noting that Coen is heading back home to Tampa Bay while his representatives finalize details with the Jaguars. Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports reported earlier this evening that the two sides were in “active negotiations.”
It was only 36 hours ago that we learned Coen was backing out of the sweepstakes to stick around as the Buccaneers offensive coordinator. According to Breer, Tampa Bay was handing the coach an extension that would make him the highest-paid coordinator in NFL history. Coen would also get to stick in a familiar spot, would get to continue guiding Baker Mayfield‘s revival, and would be positioned to enter the head coaching cycle next offseason.
Things rapidly changed. The Jaguars fired Trent Baalke following reports that the GM was a deterrent to HC candidates. Following that development, it didn’t take long for Coen to reenter the conversation, as the coach reportedly took a secret trip to Jacksonville to meet with Jaguars leadership in person. We heard earlier tonight that the Jaguars were persistent in their attempts to get Coen to reconsider, and Russini says ownership called the coach directly to explain that they’d let him pick the next general manager while also paying him “Ben Johnson-level money.”
That last-ditch effort has apparently worked, as Coen is all but certain to be named the Jaguars next head coach. The offensive coordinator recently emerged as the favorite for the position after the team’s initial target, Johnson, landed with the Bears. Shad Kahn wasn’t going to let another candidate get away, especially after the Jaguars had to pivot off top option Byron Leftwich in 2022.
During that last hiring cycle, the team ended up opting for Doug Pederson, who lasted only three seasons in Jacksonville. While the Jaguars brought in a number of offensive and defensive coaches during their active search, it was believed that the organization was prioritizing a coach who could get the most out of franchise QB Trevor Lawrence.
Coen has recently garnered a reputation as someone who can maximize their QB, as he helped guide Mayfield to a career-best season in 2024. That showing also helped put Coen back on the head coaching radar following a few bumps with the Rams and Kentucky. This head coaching job will now represent Coen’s sixth unique gig in the past six years, and both the coach and the Jaguars are surely hoping he’ll be sticking around for the long-term.
Tomorrow:in another stunning turn of events he’s staying Tampa bay. I’m not even focused on this anymore as a bears fan jus happy we got Johnson
Johnson is hands down best hire. With good O line picks and his playcalling bears could be a 10-7 threat
Agreed. I think a good O-line and good playcalling is all the Bears need to be a decent threat next season.
I hope the Jags have a fan section called the “Coen Heads” going forward.
They could meet and consume mass quantities…
Love it!
“We are from France”
Also, have another Liam do his contract negotiations.
“My client has a very particular set of skills…”
In other news, Liam Coen won’t be getting any Christmas cards from Trent Baalke in the near future. LOL.
you’re gonna eat that old blue jay burger?
Wow, that man really said not unless Baalke is gone and they made it happen. Good on him.
Well, Leftwich told them the same thing three years ago, and he was right. Just think of some of the things he’s messed up, Walker over Hutchinson comes immediately to mind, and he is one of the foundational players for the Lions. Does anyone think of Walker in that way for the Jags?
Not like Hutchinson, no. Walker is a solidly good player with upside. It’s not his fault he was taken first when almost no one else would have. Thomas worked out great last year, but Baalke drafted all sorts of guys way higher than consensus.
There’s better examples than Walker over Hutchingson. Walkers turned into a pretty good pass rusher and run defender. He was raw coming out but definitely has been productive last two years.
His Cj Henderson KLavon Chaisson Leviska Shenault draft was just an absolute dumpster fire 2 1sts and a 2nd wasted. Dude was hired as director of player personnel whiffed on those recommendations and was still promoted to interim and full time GM
Everyone knows Baalke is a snake. There were so many leaks in the 49er Baalke era that John Lynch had one requirement to take the 49er GM job: no leaks that he was a candidate. When there were no leaks it proved that Baalke was the source and Lynch felt comfortable to take the job.
Baalke: talented evaluator, snake.
Well, the Jags are certainly trying every approach…
Successful college coach with no NFL experience (Urban Meyer),
to previously successful NFL head coach and longtime coordinator (Doug Pederson),
to guy with very little NFL experience and who many NFL fans had barely heard of before this past season
I have a lot of faith in Coen. He did the undoable already. Got Baalke fired. Running an NFL team is a piece of cake after accomplishing that.
I think this is going to be a rock star hire similar to Sean McVay.
Or Mike Tomlin (whatever you think of him now). Strikingly similar.
I don’t see it, Mcvay was with Washington for 7 years so he learned and understood development.
Tomlin was with Bucs for 3-4 seasons Dungy, Kiffin, Lovie, Marinelli he learned from great players coaches and that locker room structure.
Liam has been at a different Job almost every year since coaching. He can be great at a play design. I don’t think we have a clue about him developing players since he has not been at a place long enough. He did well for the Bucs first year calling plays.
I think he is more Zac Taylor though.
This right here! Yes. Everyone thinks getting a good play caller is all that matters to be a successful HC and it is far from that. I don’t know much about Coen so am not against the move but also not for it. He has had 1 successful year as OC. Not in LA and so so in college. Everyone loved Ben Johnson but he and everyone else has had more experience coaching. And how many first tome coaches that have been fired like kliff Kingsbury, Saleh and others speak about how much they’ve learned and would do differently. Hear that all the time. I wanted Saleh alot when they chose pederson, and I think Saleh got the shaft in NY with that owner and Rodgers. I didn’t love any candidate but Saleh was my choice this time too. We need a tough, firm coach who is going to hold his players accountable and most first time HC are more friendly with players now a days. Makes me sad that as soon as Coen backed out yesterday, reports were they were turning back to Brady and kellen Moore (thank God it wasn’t moore). That means Saleh and Graham weren’t even real contenders if when Coen leaves you don’t even want your other 2. I didn’t want Graham at all either but clearly just kept them in to try to be a DC or as a safety net. Who picks 2nd round interviews and then tries to go with others not selected before these interviews even occur. Goes to show it was just for show with Saleh and Graham if reports true about looking at others again. I hope Coen isn’t a 1 year oc wonder and would’ve loved someone with a bit more experience. Doesn’t have to be a 60 yr old hc but someone firmer. 🙁 with our roster and top 5 draft pick and division idk how we don’t win more games no matter who’s the coach almost, so he’ll be credited with a bunch of info.
Was the guy I wish my Jets hired, but good luck to him. Went to a seemingly equally dysfunctional franchise. I think he can turn TLaw around though, so not all doom and gloom to be in Jax
My favorite movies from the Coen brothers were
1) Fargo
2) Blood Simple
3) No Country For Old Men
Oh, this thread is about Liam Coen … nevermind.
I think Liam was:
Big Lebowski
Raising Arizona
Miller’s Crossing
Absolutely master class of how to handle a situation by Coen
Jaguars: hey we want you to be the HC
Coen: cool cool how’s the Baalke situation
Jaguars: he’s our GM we have full confidence……”
*Coen hangs up, books flight back to Tampa to sign contract to become NFLs highest paid OC*
Jags owner calls Coen back: we fired Baalke want to reconsider your decision
Coen: my man say less let’s go
Don’t do it, Mr Coen.