ESPN’s Adam Schefter had not seen a team get so irate over a coaching decision until the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost offensive coordinator Liam Coen to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Coen, 39, was set to stay on in Tampa Bay as the league’s highest-paid coordinator after talks with the franchise. He had been scheduled to interview with the Jaguars in person on Wednesday (after an initial virtual interview) but withdrew his name from consideration.
A day later, according to multiple reports, Coen went to Jacksonville after all to discuss becoming the team’s new head coach, and that will now happen pending final negotiations, according to The Athletic’s Diana Russini.
Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show on Friday, Schefter shared how the Buccaneers front office reacted to Coen’s decision.
‘In 20 years, I don’t remember the last time I heard one team this H๏τ and bothered about a coach taking another deal,’ the NFL insider shared.
‘By the way, his side is like, ‘We didn’t do anything wrong, we were exploring our rights, we took this contract [and] we let them know.’ Again, you believe what you wanna believe.’
“I don’t remember the last time I heard a team that irate over a coaching decision.”@AdamSchefter joins @PatMcAfeeShow to talk about former Bucs OC Liam Coen becoming the new Jaguars head coach. pic.twitter.com/iYHgdhoDD2
— ESPN (@espn) January 24, 2025 
Liam Coen left his job as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator to coach the Jaguars
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ESPN’s Jenna Laine later added that Coen did call Bucs head coach Todd Bowles on Thuarsday evening to inform him of his interest in the Jacksonville job, but Bowles already knew he was interviewing with the franchise.
Coen’s U-turn notably comes after the Jaguars decided to part ways with general manager Trent Baalke a day before.
And Russini later reported that Coen’s reversal came after he was offered the chance to pick his own GM by the Jaguars, who also offered him ‘Ben Johnson’-level money.
On Friday, Coen released a statement about his new role, saying, ‘Becoming the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars is an opportunity of a lifetime and one that I am going to run with to instill a championship culture and winning tradition here in Duval.’
‘This doesn’t happen without the support and opportunities that my family and I have been afforded throughout my career, especially during this past season in Tampa Bay,’ he continued. ‘We thank Todd Bowles for his continued support and the entire Buccaneers organization for the experience and know they will have success ahead. Most of all, we are grateful to Shad Khan for his belief in what we will bring to the Jaguars. We will work tirelessly to reward his confidence.’
‘As head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, I will hire a first-class coaching staff, establish a distinctive and effective brand of football on both sides of the ball, and our players will live for the black and teal.’
Jaguars owner Shad Khan released a statement about hiring Coen after a 4-13 season
The Buccaneers offered Coen a raise that would have made him the highest paid coordinator
‘Shad and Jaguars fans should expect nothing less, and that’s what we plan to deliver and more. My wife Ashley and our family are honored to be here and a part of the Jacksonville community. We are ready to get to work. ‘
Jaguars owner Shad Khan also reiterated the team’s goal to build a winning culture within the organization. He noted how hiring Coen is a vital step toward their aspirations.
‘To repeat my message earlier this week, I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville. I also believe in being judged by actions, not words,’ Khan said. ‘That’s why I took swift and decisive action this week to hire Liam Coen as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
‘I am pumped that Liam is accepting the challenge and opportunity to build the winner that Jaguars fans and partners fully deserve. I know our players feel the same.’
Jacksonville is coming off a 4-13 season which saw them finish third in the AFC South. The franchise has only seen the postseason eight times since its founding, including 2005, 2007, 2017, and 2022.
