A stunning reversal in Jacksonville: Six questions on new Jaguars head coach Liam Coen

A Stunning Reversal in Jacksonville: Six Questions on New Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In a whirlwind of events that could only be described as a dramatic twist in the NFL coaching carousel, Liam Coen, the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has decided to take on the role of head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars. This decision comes after Coen initially withdrew from the interview process, only to reconsider following the departure of general manager Trent Baalke.

The sequence of events unfolded rapidly over a mere two days. On Wednesday, Coen declined an in-person interview with the Jaguars and accepted a lucrative contract extension from the Buccaneers, which would have made him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL, according to sources. However, the landscape shifted dramatically when the Jaguars parted ways with Baalke later that day. The team reached out to Coen, urging him to reconsider, and by Thursday afternoon, Coen was on his way to Jacksonville.

Negotiations continued into the night, and by late Thursday, Coen had informed the Buccaneers of his decision to accept the head coaching position with the Jaguars. This move places Coen at the helm of a team that finished 4-13, last in the AFC South, and in dire need of stability, as they are now on their fourth head coach in six years.

To delve deeper into this significant development, NFL Nation reporters Michael DiRocco and Jenna Laine tackle four pressing questions about Coen’s hiring, while national reporter Dan Graziano shares insights from around the league. Draft analyst Matt Miller looks ahead to the draft, and analyst Ben Solak offers a grade on the hire.

What Kind of Coach Are the Jags Getting in Coen?

Coen’s coaching journey has been marked by his time under Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams, where he honed his understanding of defenses and the intricacies of playcalling. His career has seen him oscillate between the Rams and the University of Kentucky, seeking both autonomy as a playcaller and the opportunity to coach in the NFL.

In 2024, Coen played a pivotal role in quarterback Baker Mayfield‘s career-best performance, with 41 touchdown passes, up from 28 the previous season. The Buccaneers’ offense thrived under Coen, scoring 28.6 points per game, the third-highest in franchise history.

Mayfield praised Coen, saying, “Liam has done an incredible job. The influence he’s had throughout all the guys, teaching the game of football… [He’s] teaching the details of why we’re doing certain things, why we have certain plays alerted or canned, whatever you want to call it. He does a great job of that and then calling the plays to his players’ strengths, that’s what good [offensive coordinators] do and he’s done an unbelievable job of that.”

Coen’s philosophy centers on ensuring the quarterback has options at the line of scrimmage, adapting his scheme to fit the personnel, and overcoming challenges such as injuries to key receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. — Laine

What Makes Coen Right for the Jaguars’ Offense?

There is optimism that Coen can help quarterback Trevor Lawrence overcome the challenges that have plagued him since the end of the 2023 season. Coen’s impact on Mayfield in 2024 was significant, but his work with the Buccaneers’ run game should not be overlooked.

Under Coen’s guidance, the Buccaneers transformed from the league’s worst rushing team in 2023, averaging 88.8 yards per game, to the fourth-best in 2024, averaging 149.2 yards. This improvement was achieved with three of the same offensive line starters, a rookie center, and rookie running back Bucky Irving complementing Rachaad White. This success helped offset injuries to Godwin and Evans and contributed to Mayfield’s performance.

The Jaguars have struggled with consistency in the run game over the past two seasons, averaging 99.3 rushing yards, ranking 28th in the NFL. With a running back duo of Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby, Coen’s approach could bring much-needed balance to the offense. The Buccaneers were the only team in the NFL to finish in the top five in both passing and rushing in 2024, making Coen a promising addition. — DiRocco

Was Firing Baalke the Deciding Factor in Getting Coen?

Baalke’s presence was one of several reasons why Coen initially declined to make his scheduled in-person interview in Jacksonville, according to a league source, but it was not the main reason. Coen’s decision to initially pull out embarrassed the Jaguars and was the final nudge for owner Shad Khan and Baalke to part ways.

Khan retained Baalke when he fired Doug Pederson on Jan. 6, stating that a complete organizational overhaul would be “suicide.” He expressed willingness to address any coaching candidate’s reservations about the Jaguars’ organizational structure or working with Baalke.

Throughout this process, Khan preferred to hire a young, offense-minded head coach to work with Lawrence, according to the source. Coen emerged as the front-runner for the job once former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson accepted the Chicago Bears‘ head coaching job on Monday. — DiRocco

What’s the First Thing Coen Must Do?

If Coen plans to call plays as a head coach, his top priority should be hiring an offensive line coach. The Jaguars’ offensive line has struggled in the run game over the past two seasons, particularly in the middle. The team ranked 31st in average yards before first contact per rush (2.15) and 30th in total rushing yards before first contact (1,867) from 2023-24, according to ESPN Research.

In Coen’s lone season in Tampa Bay, the Buccaneers averaged 3.0 yards per rush before first contact (sixth in the NFL) and ranked seventh with 1,448 total rushing yards before first contact. The Buccaneers nearly matched the Jaguars’ total rushing yards before first contact over the past two seasons on 384 fewer carries.

Coen will need to find someone who can transform the Jaguars’ offensive line, which emphasizes athleticism, into a more physical and straight-ahead power group. — DiRocco

What Are You Hearing Around the League on the Hire?

This hire has generated significant buzz, primarily due to the way it unfolded. Many around the league are surprised that the Jaguars finally decided to part ways with Baalke, seemingly because they believed Coen wouldn’t join the team otherwise. This marks the second hiring cycle in which concerns about Baalke’s presence have surfaced. The Jaguars previously hired Pederson, who was comfortable working with Baalke, but this time, they deemed him an obstacle to securing their preferred candidate.

Coen is well-regarded for his work with the Tampa Bay offense and his background with McVay’s Rams. However, his frequent job changes in recent years, including stints with the Rams, Kentucky, and the Buccaneers, have raised some eyebrows. Additionally, reports of Coen ghosting the Buccaneers after Baalke’s firing have not painted him in the best light.

Despite these concerns, Coen is respected for his offensive scheme and coaching abilities. He played a role in revitalizing Mayfield’s career, and there is hope that he can do the same for Lawrence. — Graziano

How Can Coen Improve This Offense at the Draft?

With the No. 5 pick in the first round, the Jaguars have options to bolster their offense. The previous regime’s success with wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and the return of a healthy Lawrence will be crucial in improving the team’s scoring ability. However, if more offensive firepower is needed, the fifth pick provides an opportunity to invest in talent.

Colorado’s two-way star Travis Hunter could be available and would enhance the passing game while also contributing to the defense. If Hunter is off the board, 6-foot-5 wideout Tetairoa McMillan (Arizona) would complement Thomas’ deep-threat speed with his ability to win 50-50 balls.

While the offensive line appears set with tackles Walker Little and Anton Harrison, the interior could be strengthened with players like Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) or Will Campbell (LSU) moving to guard. However, the No. 5 pick may be too high for a guard, so addressing this need in later rounds is likely.

While defensive playmakers will also be available, the Jaguars may prioritize the offense with Coen as head coach and a new general manager. In that case, McMillan could be the ideal choice. — Miller

How Would You Grade This Hire?

B-. The Jaguars have secured their desired candidate in Coen, who elevated the Buccaneers’ offense in 2024. He effectively utilized a diverse range of personnel, developed young players like Bucky Irving, Jalen McMillan, and Luke Goedeke, and found innovative ways to utilize veteran players. Alongside Ben Johnson, Coen was one of the most sought-after offensive minds on the market.

However, the Jaguars’ handling of the hiring process was less than ideal, and Coen now enters Jacksonville with significant influence over the selection of the next general manager, a considerable amount of power for a young, relatively inexperienced coach. Hiring the latest offensive trendsetter is a defensible strategy but carries inherent risks. Coen’s NFL coaching experience spans just five years, with only one year of NFL play-calling experience, making this a bold leap. — Solak