The Liam Coen saga has concluded after an unprecedented back-and-forth between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars, as the former Bucs offensive coordinator has agreed to become the next head coach of the Jaguars after initially withdrawing his candidacy earlier in the week to return to his OC role in Tampa Bay.
Coen turned down a second round of interviews for the Jaguars head coaching position earlier this week.
However, after owner Shad Khan finally fired general manager Trent Baalke, Coen changed his mind and rejected the Bucs to return to Jacksonville and become the team’s next head coach.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter discussed the odd situation during his recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, saying, “In 20 years, I don’t remember the last time I heard one team this hot and bothered about a coach taking another deal.”
"I don't remember the last time I heard a team that irate over a coaching decision."@AdamSchefter joins @PatMcAfeeShow to talk about former Bucs OC Liam Coen becoming the new Jaguars head coach. pic.twitter.com/iYHgdhoDD2
— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2025
Schefter noted how there are two sides to this story and there will certainly be more to come.
However, the Buccaneers feel spurned after Coen initially withdrew from the Jags’ head coaching search to become the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL with the Bucs, only to then allegedly cut off all contact with the organization.
At the same time, he went back to Jacksonville to become its head coach.
Regardless, Coen is now the new Jaguars head coach after guiding the Bucs to a great offensive season in 2024, led by Baker Mayfield’s career year.
Jags fans are thrilled to have Baalke gone, and it’s clear he was a major holdup in landing the head coach the organization ultimately wanted.
This story is a spicy one, and it’s certainly not finished.
We’ll see if there are any repercussions or fallout from Coen allegedly pulling a fast one on the Bucs, who now need a new offensive coordinator.
NEXT: Jaguars 'Discussing A Deal' With Possible Head Coach
