Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen heading to Jacksonville Jaguars to become head coach

The Jacksonville Jaguars appear on the verge of a major shift, with Liam Coen set to become their next head coach. According to National Football League (NFL) Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo, discussions are ongoing, and while nothing is final until 25th January, Friday, all signs point toward Coen’s imminent move to Duval County.

Liam Coen’s journey to Jacksonville

Coen’s journey to Jacksonville has been anything but straightforward. Just days ago, Coen had removed himself from consideration for the Jaguars' head coaching position, opting instead to return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a salary increase. However, a sudden shift occurred when the Jaguars fired general manager Trent Baalke, reopening the door for a potential partnership with Coen.

In an unexpected twist, Coen flew to Jacksonville for a meeting with the team, while the Buccaneers' leadership scrambled to get in touch with him. Despite this, Coen ultimately reached out to Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles before agreeing to join the Jaguars, taking over for Doug Pederson, who was dismissed on January 6 after a three-season tenure.

Liam Coen's impact on Tampa Bay's offense

Coen’s brief but impactful stint as the Buccaneers' offensive coordinator has garnered significant attention. Under his leadership, Tampa Bay saw remarkable offensive growth in 2024. The team finished in the top four for total yards, passing yards, and rushing yards per game. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had struggled in previous seasons, set new career highs with 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns.

Perhaps the most striking improvement came in Tampa Bay’s rushing attack, which had been among the worst in 2023. Coen orchestrated a stunning turnaround, leading the team to a fourth-place finish in rushing yards per game in 2024. This success was fueled by rookie running back Bucky Irving and a three-man backfield, including Rachaad White and Sean Tucker.

Despite head coach Todd Bowles being a defensive-minded leader, Coen’s offensive prowess helped elevate the Buccaneers' game. Mayfield, even without his top receivers, managed to guide Tampa Bay to an NFC South title, proving the effectiveness of Coen's offensive strategies.

The Jaguars' Vision with Liam Coen

For Jacksonville, the decision to hire Coen is rooted in their need for a fresh start after a disappointing 2024 season, which ended with a 4-13 record. The Jaguars are hoping that Coen can work his magic on quarterback Trevor Lawrence, a former No. 1 overall pick who has struggled to find consistency in recent years. With Coen's proven ability to develop quarterbacks and his success in revitalizing offences, Jacksonville is eager to get Lawrence and the entire franchise back on track.

Jaguars owner Shad Khan, after initially backing Baalke, ultimately fired the general manager to bring Coen to Jacksonville. The next step for the team will be hiring a general manager who can work in tandem with Coen to build a roster aligned with his vision, particularly around Lawrence, who signed a contract extension last offseason.

As the Jaguars look to replicate the success Coen helped bring to Tampa Bay, the franchise is focused on building a new offensive identity under their future head coach. With the quarterback of the future in place and a new direction on the horizon, Jacksonville's bold decision to pursue Coen could mark the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the team.