The Jacksonville Jaguars announced the appointment of Liam Coen, previously the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as the franchise’s eighth head coach on Friday. This decision marked the conclusion of a secretive recruitment process that involved owner Shad Khan dismissing general manager Trent Baalke and persuading Coen to reconsider his commitment to the Buccaneers.
The agreement between the Jaguars and Coen was finalized a day after he informed Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and others that he intended to take the position in Jacksonville. Owner Shad Khan expressed his dedication to creating a winning team, stating, “I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville… I took swift and decisive action this week to hire Liam Coen as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.”
Khan’s approach to securing Coen’s hiring will be remembered as one of the more tumultuous coaching searches within the NFL. Khan unexpectedly ended Baalke’s tenure on Wednesday to facilitate Coen’s arrival. Initially, Coen had turned down an in-person interview with the Jaguars due to Baalke’s involvement, as Baalke’s reputation in the league is less than favorable. He previously convinced Khan to let go of the Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson after just three seasons with the Jaguars.
Despite agreeing to a lucrative three-year contract with the Buccaneers designed to make him the highest-paid coordinator, Coen never finalized the deal. Instead, he vanished from Tampa for several hours and took a trip to Jacksonville for a meeting with Khan, interim general manager Ethan Waugh, and Hall of Fame tackle Tony Boselli. Following a formal discussion with Coen, the Jaguars had already completed an interview with former Las Vegas defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to adhere to the NFL’s Rooney Rule.
Although Coen left Jacksonville without a signed contract, many sensed that the deal was imminent. His earlier virtual meeting with Khan had gone exceptionally well, and he appeared to be Khan’s favored candidate, particularly after Ben Johnson, the offensive coordinator from Detroit, accepted a position with the Chicago Bears.
With Baalke removed, Khan realized he needed to act decisively to secure an innovative offensive mind to complement young quarterback Trevor Lawrence and rising star wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. Those skeptical of Khan’s commitment to success in Jacksonville may want to consider the extensive efforts that led to Coen’s hire.
Coen described accepting the head coach position as “an opportunity of a lifetime,” emphasizing his goal to establish a championship mentality and winning tradition in Jacksonville. Khan previously stated his desire for a coach who could inject creativity into the team’s strategy, emphasizing that being unpredictable is essential in modern football.
At 39 years old, Coen had engineered one of the most successful offenses in Tampa Bay’s history during the 2024 season, with the team finishing third in the NFL for yards per game and fourth in points scored. He distinguished himself as the first NFL coordinator in 25 years to surpass 28 points per game, achieve over six yards per play, convert more than 50% of third downs, and score touchdowns 65% of the time within the red zone.
His successful collaboration with veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield and rookie running back Bucky Irving had even led some devoted Buccaneers fans to suggest that Bowles should be reassigned so Coen could continue to lead the offense effectively.
Moving forward, several questions remain regarding the coaching and general manager structural organization under Khan. There’s speculation about whether Waugh will maintain the GM role or if Coen will select someone new. The possibility of hiring an executive vice president, possibly Boselli, could provide support to the newly appointed coach.
Regardless, the Jaguars are optimistic about having one of the most appealing roles in the NFL—especially with Baalke no longer involved. They possess a promising young quarterback, a blossoming star at receiver, valuable defensive players, a relatively new training facility, and a forthcoming $1.4 billion renovation of their stadium. They also enjoy a wealthy owner who adopts a hands-off approach, a favorable salary cap situation, a high draft pick, and play in an easy division.
In short, the Jaguars have the pieces in place for a quick turnaround, but the onus will be on Coen to turn potential into progress.
