It was inevitably going to occur the place different NFL groups can be keen on doubtlessly making Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen their subsequent head coach. We’re apparently arriving at this level as groups who haven’t already fired their coach in the course of the season have started letting go of their head coaches the day after the season ended, and Liam Coen is on one staff’s radar particularly.
In response to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Jacksonville Jaguars have listed three people who they’ve keen on with Liam Coen being considered one of them. Jacksonville fired Doug Pederson following a 3-14 season. Pederson had been there for seasons, compiling a file of 22-29. The opposite candidates that the Jaguars wish to speak to are Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and Buffalo Payments’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Offensive creativity shall be a consideration with the #Jaguars search, and amongst names on the staff’s radar, I am instructed: #Lions OC Ben Johnson, #Bucs OC Liam Coen, #Payments OC Joe Brady.
Bucs OC Liam Coen – Picture by: Cliff Welch P/R
This isn’t the primary time the Jaguars have considered hiring a Bucs’ offensive coordinator to be their head coach. They final time they wanted a brand new coach was after they employed Pederson, however got here very shut to creating Byron Leftwich their coach earlier than issues fell aside and Leftwich went again to Tampa. Leftwich coached another season for the Bucs after which was fired. Tampa Bay employed Dave Canales in 2023 the place he known as performs for one season earlier than turning into the Panthers head coach and the Bucs employed Liam Coen for the 2024 season, which grew to become a rousing success offensively.
The attraction for Coen going to the Jaguars can be to work with former primary general choose quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who shall be getting into his fifth NFL season. Jacksonville additionally has a rising star in rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr, who had an awesome rookie season, and have a proficient working again with Travis Etienne Jr. going into his fourth 12 months. Coen and Tampa Bay bought an in depth take a look at the Jaguars having had a two joint coaching camp practices with them this season.
Jacksonville received’t be the one staff that the Bucs have to fret about hiring Liam Coen. The Patriots are defintiely one other staff that Coen will certainly take into account since he’s from the New England space. Getting the possibility to educate first spherical choose Caleb Williams on the bears may also be one thing he’d be keen on.
Liam Coen Needs To Be A Head Coach, However It Can Wait
If the Bucs are to maintain Liam Coen as an offensive coordinator after this season, they’ll need to hope that the present head coach openings aren’t what he desires. It additionally helps that Tampa Bay has been immensely profitable in his first 12 months calling performs on the NFL stage.
Bucs OC Liam Coen, QB Baker Mayfield and HC Todd Bowles – Picture by: Cliff Welch/PR
The Bucs have an attractive outlook understanding that Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Rachaad White, Cade Otton and all the offensive line apart from Ben Bredeson are going to be again subsequent season. All of the Tampa Bay wants to determine on the offensive facet is methods to carry again Chris Godwin at receiver. Coen might want have one other scoring numerous factors with this group. And why wouldn’t he? The Bucs scored 502 factors within the common season. That’s the second most they’ve rating in franchise historical past.
Underneath Liam Coen’s watch, he bought Mike Evans to succeed in 1,000 receiving yards for the eleventh straight season, regardless of lacking three video games. He set upBucky Irving be the Bucs first working again to surpass 1,000 dashing yards in a decade and likewise helped Baker Mayfield attain profession highs in a number of classes. That features 41 passing touchdowns, which put Mayfield second all-time Bucs historical past for single season passing touchdowns, trailing Tom Brady by two.
The connection that Liam Coen has with Baker Mayfield and the remainder of the offense is likely to be too nice to go up. Coen stated himself that he’s having a lot enjoyable. He thinks he’s able to be a coach, however he additionally doesn’t have to rush into it both.
“Yeah, I do believe I’m ready to do so,” Liam Coen stated final week. ““I don’t assume you’re ever really absolutely prepared however yeah, that could be a dream. Does that have to occur after I’m 39 years outdated and having in all probability essentially the most enjoyable of my life teaching, working and being right here?
“No, that doesn’t mean that needs to occur right now but yeah, that is the goal. That is absolutely the goal, but like I said before, that goal can hold off for a while here and continue to do what we’re doing. That would be pretty special.”
The Bucs and Coen nonetheless have loads to play for as they prepare for a postseason sport. Finally when the offseason comes about, Liam Coen is more likely to have many different gives. We’ll have to attend and see what he decides.