After a whirlwind of speculation and confusing back-and-forth negotiations, the Jacksonville Jaguars have officially hired former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their new head coach.
Per NFL Insider Tom Pelissero, Jaguars owner Shad Khan released a statement confirming that Coen had been hired.
The statement reads, "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. 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."
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Coen released his own statement confirming his new position.
Statement from Jaguars HC Liam Coen:
“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…
"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. 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. 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."
Coen had previously withdrawn from consideration with the Jaguars, choosing to stay with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after being offered a lucrative contract extension that would have made him the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL.
However, after the Jaguars made the unexpected move of firing general manager Trent Baalke, Coen reportedly reconsidered his decision. This change in leadership at the top opened the door for Jacksonville to reignite their pursuit of Coen, ultimately leading him to sign on as the team's next head coach.
Coen's hiring is a pivotal moment for the Jaguars, who have been desperately searching for stability after a tumultuous few seasons.
At just 39, Coen will become one of the youngest head coaches in the league. His previous success as an offensive coordinator—most notably with the Buccaneers, where he helped quarterback Baker Mayfield have a career year in 2024—was a major draw for Jacksonville.
Coen's work with Mayfield, who threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns under his guidance, made it clear that he has the ability to bring out the best in quarterbacks.
This is exactly what the Jaguars need as they try to unlock the full potential of franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has yet to experience much stability in his short NFL career.
Lawrence will be on his third head coach and fourth offensive play-caller in just five seasons, which has undoubtedly hindered his development.
Jacksonville hopes that Coen's reputation as a "quarterback whisperer," coupled with his success in helping Mayfield reset his career, will be the key to getting Lawrence back on track.
While Lawrence has shown flashes of brilliance, he needs consistent leadership and guidance, something Coen is well-positioned to provide.
This hire is crucial for Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who has been trying to find long-term stability for the franchise.
The Jaguars' 4-13 record in 2024 capped a miserable stretch, marking another failed season under Khan's ownership. With Coen in charge, the hope is that Jacksonville can finally build a foundation for success. But this is only part of the equation.
The Jaguars will now need to hire a general manager who can work in tandem with Coen to shape the team's future.
Coen's coaching journey has seen him move between college and the NFL. He spent four seasons under Sean McVay with the Los Angeles Rams before returning to college football as Kentucky's offensive coordinator in 2021 and 2023.
His success with the Bucs, where he turned around an offense that had struggled in previous seasons, was apparently a major factor in Jacksonville's decision to pursue him.
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