Current Tamp Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen is one of three finalists for the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching opening, and according to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, the Buccaneers are “bracing” for Coen to be offered the job.
Stroud would go on to say that Coen could be offered the role as early as Wednesday after his second interview with the Jaguars. He also added that there is a “growing belief that it’s Coen’s job to lose.”
This aligns with other reports that are out there. Recently, SI’s Albert Breer mentioned in his Monday Morning Quarterback article that Coen “did well” in his initial interview.
An anonymous senior NFL executive would also tell Jaguars on Sports Illustrated that Coen had an “outstanding” first interview with the team.
The combination of Coen and Trevor Lawrence certainly has to be an enticing one if you’re the Jaguars.
The 2024 season was Coen’s first as the Bucs’ offensive play-caller, but with it came great success. Along with the team making the playoffs, the Tampa Bay offense was also top five in scoring, passing yards per game and rushing yards per game during the regular season.
In fact, no other offense accomplished that feat in all three of those categories.
“Liam has done an incredible job,” Baker Mayfield said earlier this month. “It’s the influence he’s had throughout all the guys teaching the game of football, and I’ve mentioned to you guys like all year, that teaching the details of why we’re doing certain things, why we have certain plays alerted or canned, whatever you want to call it.
“And he does a great job of that, and then calling the plays with player strengths, that’s what good OCs do. And so he’s done an unbelievable job.”
Of course, maximizing Lawrence’s ability and getting the offense back on track will be an important priority for whoever the Jaguars’ next head coach is.
But also high up on the priority list, as Lawrence detailed recently, is bringing in someone who is a leader and can help set the culture moving forward.
Along with Coen, Robert Saleh and Patrick Graham are also scheduled to interview a second time as well.
