New Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach Liam Coen met with the media on Monday for his introductory press conference.
In case you missed it, here are the highlights from it all:
– Shad Khan began by saying that after the 10 initial interviews for the head coaching role, he realized there was a big opportunity out there for the Jaguars and that Liam Coen was the right person for the job. “We got our man,” said Khan about Coen.
– Coen notes the team he wants to build is one that is complementary with all three phases working together. He wants his team to play fast and physical, and it’s all about the players. “Players over plays,” said Coen.
– “We’re going to work our tails off to bring championships to Jacksonville,” said Coen at the end of his opening statement.
– Coen was asked about how last week unfolded, “it started to become more clear with every hour that this was an opportunity you couldn’t pass up,” said Coen. He adds that he will always love his players and time in Tampa Bay. When asked, Coen said that the Jaguars’ moving on from Trent Baalke at GM was not a factor in his change of heart.
– Coen confirms that he will be calling the offensive plays. “We’ve got to build it around him,” said Coen about Trevor Lawrence and adds that Lawrence will be apart of building the offense.
– Khan said that the fundamental question asked to all the interviewees was how do they get the most out of Lawrence and the offense? Coen really impressed and in NFL circles even before the interview, Khan had heard very good things about Coen.
– “This is not a four win team,” said Coen. A big thing to address is how do the Jaguars go from finding ways to lose games to finding ways to win.
– Coen notes that first and foremost, the culture has to be established. Once the standard is established, then they’ll get into the fundamentals and technique, followed by the scheme. He reiterated that it all begins with culture and standards.
– Khan said he wants Coen to get settled in and assemble his staff and then they’ll continue with the GM search.
– Khan was asked when it became apparent to part ways with Baalke, and he said that after the 10 initial interviews it was time to reflect and that was the decision that was best.
– “We are going to have a position,” said Khan about Tony Boselli. The Jaguars are checking with the league into what roles are out there and what best fits for Boselli.
– Coen was asked about how he turned the Bucs’ run game around and noted the importance of all 11 players buying in. He mentioned receiver Mike Evans throwing key blocks.
– “Definitely,” said Coen when asked if he considers himself apart of Sean McVay’s coaching tree from his time with him in LA. “That was where I learned truly the game.”
– “That is important, to protect our home turf,” said Coen.
– What about this team excites you the most? Coen says the “leadership,” noting the roles Lawrence and Josh Hines-Allen play in that regard. Coen adds the 20 draft picks the Jaguars have over the next two years and the players already on the roster. He notes the importance of collaborating with the players to maximizing the opportunity that’s out there.
– “Communication,” said Coen when asked how he establishes the culture he wants. He also adds the importance of building out a great coaching staff to work with the players, along with the importance of alignment with the front office.
– “If we can all be honest with each other in this building, that’s when we’ll be able to grow,” said Coen on what he learned from McVay.
– Khan notes the importance of Coen being apart of the decision making when it comes to the roster so he has the right players.
– Coen noted he importance of the trenches. Success in the playoffs starts with being able to move the ball in the run game and begin able to contain the run.
(This article will be updated as the press conference unfolds.)
LIVE: Liam Coen addresses the media for the first time as Jaguars Head Coach #DUUUVAL https://t.co/mUX7dz1gvE
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