Liam Coen has been appointed as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Previously serving as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Coen brings a wealth of experience to his new role. His coaching career spans 15 seasons, including a decade at the college level, and four pivotal years with the Los Angeles Rams. The Jaguars selected Coen from a pool of 10 candidates, making him the franchise's eighth head coach. He succeeds Doug Pederson in leading the team.
Coen initially hesitated to accept the Jaguars' offer due to concerns over working with general manager Trent Baalke. However, following Baalke's departure, Coen reconsidered and decided to take on the leadership role. At 36 years old, he will become the fourth-youngest active head coach in the NFL, joining the ranks of young leaders such as Seattle Seahawks' Mike Macdonald, Chicago Bears' Ben Johnson, and Los Angeles Rams' Sean McVay.
Coen's coaching resume is impressive. He has spent significant time at both collegiate and professional levels, including two separate stints as Kentucky's offensive coordinator. His experience with the Rams under Sean McVay saw him in roles such as assistant wide receivers coach, assistant quarterbacks coach, and offensive coordinator. Notably, he worked with quarterback Baker Mayfield during his time with the Rams in 2022.
Under Coen's leadership, the Buccaneers achieved exceptional results, ranking in the top five across various offensive metrics. The team's performance in total offense, scoring, rushing, passing, third-down conversions, and red zone efficiency showcased Coen's ability to develop dynamic and successful offensive strategies. His appointment as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator came after Dave Canales left to become head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
Coen's decision to join the Jaguars took many by surprise. He had initially agreed to a contract extension with the Buccaneers that would have made him the NFL's highest-paid coordinator. Despite this lucrative offer, Coen opted for the opportunity to lead an NFL team, demonstrating his ambition and readiness for the challenge.
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