In stunning reversal, Liam Coen spurns Buccaneers to become Jaguars’ head coach.
On Wednesday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appeared to have secured their offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, who had transformed their offense into a top-five unit in the 2024 season. Coen was reportedly set to sign a lucrative three-year extension, making him one of the highest-paid coordinators in the NFL, with a salary nearing $4.5 million per year.
However, Thursday brought unexpected news as the Buccaneers did not announce Coen’s extension. Instead, it was revealed that he was in Jacksonville, negotiating a new deal to take over as the Jaguars’ head coach.
Just a day prior, Coen had been scheduled for a second interview with the Jaguars but had withdrawn his name from consideration, leading many to believe he was committed to the Buccaneers. The situation escalated when Jacksonville fired their general manager, Trent Baalke, and reached out to Coen with an enticing offer that included the opportunity to select the new GM.
Unbeknownst to Tampa Bay, they expected Coen to finalize his extension on Thursday. Reports indicated they struggled to reach him until later in the day when he spoke with Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles, who had advocated for Coen’s raise. During this conversation, Coen mentioned a family emergency related to his child’s health, only briefly touching on the possibility of the Jaguars job.
By late Thursday, Coen informed the Buccaneers of his decision to accept the Jaguars’ offer, which could pay him as much as $13 million annually.
Coen’s departure shifts the narrative from a positive retention story to a growing list of losses for the Buccaneers, who have celebrated four consecutive division titles. In addition to Coen, assistant general manager John Spytek has accepted the general manager position with the Raiders, a team that includes former Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady as a minority owner.
The Buccaneers may also face further changes, as Bowles’ top two defensive assistants are reportedly considering moves. Defensive line coach Kacy Rodgers is set to join the Lions, and linebackers coach Larry Foote is being interviewed for the Lions’ defensive coordinator position. It is also possible that Coen will bring some Buccaneers offensive assistants with him to Jacksonville.
Coen expressed his aspirations for a head coaching role, stating, “That is a dream… But that goal can hold off for a while here and continue to do what we’re doing. That would be pretty special.”
This marks the second consecutive year that Bowles has lost a first-year offensive coordinator to a head coaching position. Last year, Dave Canales was hired by the Panthers, making the Buccaneers the first NFL team since the 2013-14 Ravens to lose offensive coordinators to head coaching roles in back-to-back seasons.
Coen’s recent job history shows a pattern of moving quickly, having shifted between the Rams and the University of Kentucky before landing in Tampa. At 39, he is now one of the youngest head coaches in the NFL and will have the opportunity to work with promising quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who recently signed a massive $275 million contract.
The Buccaneers have experienced similar disappointments in the past. They nearly secured Bill Parcells as head coach in 1991 and 2002, only for him to back out at the last moment. They also came close to hiring Chip Kelly in 2012, but he chose to remain at Oregon.
Now, Tampa Bay must act swiftly to find a new offensive coordinator, marking their fourth in four seasons. This lack of consistency is particularly challenging for Baker Mayfield, who had a standout year under Coen, posting career highs in touchdowns and passing yards. With seven different offensive coordinators in his seven NFL seasons, Mayfield faces yet another adjustment period.
On the other hand, the Jaguars, who finished with a disappointing 4-13 record last season, are eager to regain their footing. They previously enjoyed two consecutive 9-8 seasons, clinching the AFC South and winning a wild-card playoff game in 2022. A key focus for Coen will be to help the young quarterback Lawrence, who dealt with injuries this past season.
Should the Buccaneers maintain the financial commitment they had planned for Coen, they will have a wealth of candidates to consider for the offensive coordinator position. They could promote from within, providing Mayfield with a smoother adjustment, or explore external options for a playcalling coordinator who can work with a talented roster in a favorable division.
Greg Auman is an NFL Reporter for FOX Sports. He previously spent a decade covering the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and The Athletic. You can follow him on Twitter at @gregauman.
