The Jacksonville Jaguars are resetting their head coaching search after leading candidate Liam Coen withdrew his name from consideration for the job.
Coen has decided to remain on staff as the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay after the Buccaneers extended his contract. He’ll be among the highest-paid coordinators in the NFL, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Jaguars Fans Irate After Hearing Liam Coen News
Contract details weren’t immediately released but the Tampa Bay Times speculated it might be in the $4.5 million range.
The 39-year-old assistant has quickly become a hot name in NFL coaching circles after launching Tampa Bay’s offense into another stratosphere in 2024. Under his innovative reign, the Buccaneers ranked No. 3 in total offense (6,792 yards, 399.5 yards per game) and Offense+ (PFN’s offensive-based metric), while putting up the fourth-most points (502 points, 29.5 points per game).
Quarterback Baker Mayfield also saw a resurgence as he set career highs in passing yards (4,500), touchdown passes (41), and completion percentage (71.4%).
Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen is taking himself out of the running for the Jaguars’ head coaching job to stay in Tampa on a new contract that now will place him amongst the highest-paid coordinators in the NFL, per sources.
Bucs are keeping their OC. pic.twitter.com/PWy5GP2uTy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2025
The top reason cited for Coen not wanting to jump from the pirate ship had to do with the Jaguars’ decision to keep Trent Baalke on as general manager. Fox NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported “it’s been no secret” that top coaching candidates are leery about the front office dynamic in Jacksonville.
Then, in an unexpected twist of fate, Khan fired Baalke mere hours after Coen withdrew his name from consideration. Perhaps feeling the heat, Khan released a statement explaining his backtrack: “Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to respectfully separate, effective immediately.”
Owner Shad Khan never contemplated a complete organizational overhaul, calling it “almost like suicidal” to do that, while refusing to say if Baalke had received a contract extension.
Upon hearing the news of Coen’s reversal, Jaguars fans pounded social media with negative commentary. It mostly centered on Baalke and the awkward structure in Jacksonville.
One fan simply wrote: “gahahahhahahahhahhaahhah.”
Another added: “Trent Baalke strikes again! Thanks Shad 🤡! #FireBaalke.”
Another fan added: “They’ll find someone desperate for a chance to be a HC (or second/last chance at HC) and settle. Such a train wreck.”
One fan wrote: “At this rate gonna end up with the 5th choice, this roller coaster is just getting started.”
Another fan added: “What a dumpster fire. Who would take that job? They may have to call Gruden up 😂.”
Remember, the presence of Baalke has been blamed for the Jaguars missing out on former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini wrote: “The Jacksonville Jaguars were also interested in Ben Johnson, but I’m told the setup wasn’t in line with what he was looking for in his first head coaching job.”
Johnson eventually took the head coaching job with the Chicago Bears.
What’s Next for Jacksonville?
Well, it’s not all gloom and doom. The Jaguars are in the process of scheduling second interviews with two other top candidates: Robert Saleh and Patrick Graham. Saleh was fired in October after 3+ lackluster seasons with the New York Jets. Graham has spent the past three seasons as defensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders.
Jaguars Wire also threw out three other names as potential candidates: Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore; Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Time will tell. What everyone seems to agree on is the organizational structure and front office situation in Jacksonville is problematic for top talent. Assistant general manager Evan Waugh will wear the interim tag and lead the head coaching search.
