My how things can change quickly in the NFL. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were prepared to extend the contract of offensive coordinator Liam Coen after he skipped his interview with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Now, it appears that Coen has turned down the Bucs and agreed to become the Jags’ new head coach, which has left Buccaneers fans embarrassed and devastated.
Buccaneers Fans Upset as Liam Coen Reemerges for Jaguars Head Coach Gig
According to NFL Network, on Wednesday, Jan. 22, Coen informed the Jags he was taking himself out of the running for their head coaching vacancy. However, after Jacksonville parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke later in the day, the team reached back out to Coen, per Tom Pelissero; now the two sides potentially are headed toward a deal.
When Bucs fans heard the news, to say they were upset would be an understatement. Words like “this is awful” and “I hate this” are already being thrown around even before Coen accepts the job.
“I just lost a lot of respect for Coen. To not even have the decency to take their phone call to tell them what he is doing is completely unprofessional. Shows a complete lack of respect,” said one fan
I just lost a lot of respect for Coen. To not even have the decency to take their phone call to tell them what he is doing is completely unprofessional. Shows a complete lack of respect
— Dominic Tarantino 🇵🇸🇺🇦 (@dom_tarantino) January 23, 2025
“This is classless by Liam and he’s doing all this for the jaguars of all teams and that trash organization. The league and the Bucs won’t forget this when he’s fired after 2 years,” another fan said.
This is classless by Liam and he’s doing all this for the jaguars of all teams and that trash organization. The league and the Bucs won’t forget this when he’s fired after 2 years
— CaptainSora (@bucsbasemnt) January 23, 2025
“At least he showed us what he was before he became a potential HC. Not ideal though at least you are avoiding more backstabbing going forward,” said another user.
At least he showed us what he was before he became a potential HC. Not ideal though at least you are avoiding more backstabbing going forward.
— Kyle Lease (@MrEngel333) January 23, 2025
“This action is quite disappointing and reflects a lack of loyalty to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay team. It’s unprofessional and troubling. I hope the Jaguars do hire him, and I hope it ends up being a failure. It’s hard to believe Liam would treat Tampa Bay fans this way, especially after he publicly stated his intention to remain with Tampa as one of the highest-paid offensive coordinators in the NFL,” said another social media user.
On Wednesday, Coen notified the Jaguars that he was withdrawing from consideration for their head coach position. This action is quite disappointing and reflects a lack of loyalty to Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay team. It's unprofessional and troubling. I hope the Jaguars do…
— Joshua Tully (@ThaJungleKiDD) January 23, 2025
Some fans, however, blame the organization for why Coen decided to talk to the Jaguars.
“I’ll tell you why he’s doing this because they won’t give him the head coaching job that’s what he really wants and that’s what he really deserves. I can’t believe they’re loyalty to the current head coach. That’s absolutely ridiculous,” said a fan.
I'll tell you why he's doing this because they won't give him the head coaching job that's what he really wants and that's what he really deserves. I can't believe they're loyalty to the current head coach. That's absolutely ridiculous.
— JJ Stevens (@jjstevenz) January 23, 2025
“He’s dead to me — we should fire him before anything is announced in Jacksonville,” said another user.
He’s dead to me — we should fire him before anything is announced in Jacksonville
— Justin (@BunkBilfington) January 23, 2025
Coen hasn’t taken or been offered the job officially yet, as far as currently known, and Buccaneers fans are already done with him. However, things can change again overnight, but you can’t fault them for being upset.
This week alone they’re expecting to lose their assistant general manager, and two of their top defensive coaches are interviewing for openings with the Detroit Lions, with Kacy Rodgers expected to head north, which just adds more salt to an open wound.