In the realm of the NFL, commitments can quickly change.
Liam Coen’s recent journey highlights this truth: after initially deciding to stay as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he shifted gears and accepted the head coaching position with the Jacksonville Jaguars. This surprising turn of events unfolded after he attended a second interview with the Jaguars on Thursday, ultimately leading to his hiring just one day later, despite having agreed to a deal with Tampa Bay. The Jaguars’ decision to part ways with general manager Trent Baalke facilitated Coen’s reconsideration of his choice to remain in Tampa.
Coen’s decision was not an isolated incident; history is filled with similar instances where coaches or players have opted to reverse their decisions.
One notable example is Bill Parcells, who on January 19, 2002, announced to the Buccaneers that he was not returning from retirement to succeed Tony Dungy. Parcells, at that point the only candidate for the position, cited his age as a reason for not wanting to make the commitment. However, just a year later, he returned to coaching with the Dallas Cowboys for four seasons and made two playoff appearances. Ironically, after Parcells declined the Buccaneers’ offer, the team went on to trade for Jon Gruden, who led them to a Super Bowl title in his inaugural season.
Another instance involves Bill Belichick. On January 4, 2000, Belichick was expected to take over as head coach for the New York Jets after serving under Parcells as a defensive coordinator. However, he shocked everyone by resigning at a press conference meant to introduce him as the Jets’ new head coach, scribbling a resignation on what was described variously as a napkin or a loose paper. Shortly thereafter, Belichick was traded to the New England Patriots and went on to build a dynasty with quarterback Tom Brady, capturing six Super Bowl championships.
Josh McDaniels also experienced a significant reversal in February 2018, shortly after the Patriots were defeated by the Eagles in the Super Bowl. After agreeing to terms with the Indianapolis Colts, McDaniels opted to stay in New England after the Patriots offered him a pay raise to continue as their offensive coordinator. This decision led to a ripple effect; the Colts subsequently appointed Eagles offensive coordinator Frank Reich, who played a crucial role in the Colts’ success.
Kliff Kingsbury provided another example in February 2024 when he withdrew from an agreement to become the offensive coordinator for the Raiders just two days after accepting the position. Instead, Kingsbury decided to take a similar role on Dan Quinn’s staff in Washington, where he has significantly influenced quarterback Jayden Daniels’ growth as the Commanders advanced to the NFC championship game.
Additionally, Frank Gore’s switch in 2015 illustrates the unpredictability of NFL decisions. After reaching a one-year agreement with the Philadelphia Eagles during the league’s legal tampering phase, Gore ultimately chose the Indianapolis Colts instead. A five-time Pro Bowl running back, he switched his plans after witnessing key players leaving the Eagles, including Nick Foles, who had called him to share the excitement about joining the team. Concerned that the Eagles were losing their competitive edge, he opted for the Colts, who had just reached the AFC championship game, believing he could help push them to a championship.
These shifting decisions reflect the complex dynamics of the NFL, where what appears to be a firm decision can rapidly morph into an entirely different scenario.
