The Jacksonville Jaguars are currently in talks with Liam Coen, Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator, regarding their head coach vacancy. This development follows the owner, Shad Khan, parting ways with general manager Trent Baalke, which has opened the door for Coen.
According to a source familiar with the situation, who requested anonymity due to ongoing discussions, the Jaguars may be poised to hire Coen shortly. Khan’s decision to dismiss Baalke on Wednesday has facilitated Coen’s potential transition to Jacksonville. Initially, Coen had turned down an in-person interview with the Jaguars due to Baalke’s presence, as Baalke’s reputation in the league is less than stellar, particularly after he persuaded Khan to let go of Super Bowl-winning coach Doug Pederson following his third season with the team.
Instead of signing a substantial new deal with the Buccaneers that would have ranked him among the highest-paid coordinators in the NFL, Coen opted to clandestinely travel to Jacksonville to meet with Khan, interim general manager Ethan Waugh, and other team officials without officially signing his contract. It is expected that the Jaguars could finalize Coen’s hiring as soon as Thursday evening.
By Wednesday, it became apparent that Coen was indeed Khan’s preferred candidate, even with other interviews lined up with former defensive coordinator for Las Vegas, Patrick Graham, and ex-New York Jets coach Robert Saleh. Earlier in the month, Khan expressed his desire for a head coach who could introduce creativity to the team, emphasizing that “being unpredictable is I think modern football, and we have to be able to show that on the field.”
At just 39 years old, Coen orchestrated one of the most productive offensive seasons in Tampa Bay’s history in 2024. The Buccaneers ranked third in the league in yards with an average of 399.6 per game and fourth in scoring with 29.5 points per game. The prospect of pairing Coen with quarterback Trevor Lawrence and emerging star receiver Brian Thomas Jr. holds immense potential for the Jaguars.
While Coen faced challenges during his first season in the NFL with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022—where they finished last in the league in yards after losing key players like quarterback Matthew Stafford and receiver Cooper Kupp—his remarkable performance this season with Tampa has led some fans to suggest he could eventually replace 61-year-old head coach Todd Bowles.
Looking ahead, questions remain about how Khan will structure the team’s leadership moving forward. Will Waugh continue his role, or might Khan hire an executive vice president to oversee operations? Regardless of the decisions made, the Jaguars seem to possess one of the more attractive coaching opportunities—especially with Baalke no longer in the fold.
The team has a promising young quarterback in Lawrence, a rising star at wide receiver in Thomas, and foundational defensive players like cornerback Tyson Campbell and pass rushers Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Additionally, Jacksonville is set to benefit from a significant stadium renovation valued at $1.4 billion and offers the allure of no state income tax combined with a sunny climate.
Furthermore, the Jaguars hold the fifth overall pick in the upcoming draft and have approximately $50 million in salary cap space earmarked for 2025. Competing in the relatively weak AFC South adds to their attractiveness, especially considering they experienced a frustrating 3-10 record in close games last season, marking them as potentially quick contenders.
On the other hand, Khan’s commitment to playing at least once a year in London raises concerns about the team’s competitive edge, as they will also play some home games in 2026 at a reduced capacity and in 2027 entirely away from Jacksonville. The current roster does include several veterans who are aging, which adds another layer of complexity to the team’s future direction.
