Jags Land New Head Coach Liam Coen Amidst Bizarre Situation

As soon as the Jaguars fired Doug Pederson at the end of this season, they set their sights on offensive coordinator Liam Coen, a figure of notable prowess who orchestrated a Buccaneers offense that ranked among the highest-scoring in the NFL during the 2024 season.

The Buccaneers, recognizing Coen's talent and potential, supported his involvement in a virtual interview with Jacksonville, which he completed on January 15. The franchise believed this opportunity would not only benefit Coen but also elevate his profile within the league despite maintaining faith in keeping him. Notably, Jaguars owner Shad Khan was particularly impressed by Coen during this preliminary meeting, leading him to express a desire for an in-person interview.

This initial outreach initiated a whirlwind of events that ultimately resulted in Coen landing the head coach position in Jacksonville, despite the chaotic circumstances surrounding the pursuit. The Buccaneers were fiercely determined to retain one of their premier coaches, even going so far as to offer him a lucrative contract that would make him the highest-paid coordinator in the league. This significant raise was contingent upon Coen declining a second interview with the Jaguars, a stipulation he initially agreed to, which led him to withdraw from consideration on Wednesday morning. However, the situation shifted dramatically within hours when the Jaguars decided to part ways with general manager Trent Baalke. Seizing the opportunity, Khan reached out directly to Coen, inquiring whether he would reconsider his earlier withdrawal.

By Thursday afternoon, Coen found himself en route to Jacksonville for an in-person interview, and by the stroke of midnight, a deal was struck, solidifying his position as the Jaguars' new head coach. The franchise, which had faced potential embarrassment over Coen's withdrawal, transformed their disappointment into elation as they secured an offensive mastermind hoped to be the solution to unlocking quarterback Trevor Lawrence's full potential.

During his tenure with the Buccaneers, Coen orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for quarterback Baker Mayfield, leading him to achieve a career-best total of 41 touchdown passes—significantly surpassing his previous high of 28 set in 2023. This impressive performance also marked the third-most touchdown passes in franchise history. Moreover, Coen's expertise shone through even in challenging circumstances; Mayfield notably accomplished this feat without star receiver Chris Godwin for more than half the season and while missing Mike Evans for three crucial games. This adaptability underscored Coen's remarkable capability to adjust his offensive scheme on the fly, tailoring it to the strengths and weaknesses of the personnel at his disposal.

Under Coen's stewardship, the Buccaneers averaged an impressive 28.6 offensive points per game—a figure that ranks as the third-highest in team history, trailing only the record-setting 2020 Super Bowl-winning squad and the 2021 team, both featuring the legendary Tom Brady at the helm. In addition, Coen revitalized the Buccaneers' ground game, transforming it from a dismal average of 88.8 rushing yards per game in 2023 to an impressive 149.2 yards per game in 2024. This marked the fourth-highest rushing average in the league that season and established a new benchmark for the franchise.

The addition of Coen is surely something to be very excited about in Jacksonville after what has been a string of unfortunate seasons. To be able to land the coach of their choice despite seemingly being out of the running is a welcome change from the type of outcomes that Jacksonville is accustomed to. Jacksonville has been a laughingstock of the league for a long time, and with Coen at the helm, this franchise hopes for transformation. As previously mentioned, the Jags have Trevor Lawrence under contract for the foreseeable future and are hoping that their heavy investment will reap more rewards with Coen now in the picture. Lawrence has failed to live up to the hype that surrounded him coming out of Clemson but has shown some significant flashes that led Jacksonville to heavily invest in that potential. Coen's success will largely depend on his ability to maximize Lawrence or the failed ability to do so.