Liam Coen was officially introduced as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday, where he addressed questions surrounding his unexpected departure from his previous role.
Coen was asked about his decision to accept the Jaguars position after initially declining the opportunity and signing a new contract as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator. He explained that the more he considered the Jacksonville opportunity, the harder it became to turn down.
“The chance to coach in Tampa was incredible—it gave me the opportunity to get my feet wet as an offensive coordinator, and I’m so grateful for that,” Coen said. “But as I dug deeper and gathered more information, it became increasingly clear that this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up for so many reasons. At the end of the day, you have to make the decision that’s best for you and your family, and that’s what this came down to. I’ll always love and cherish my time in Tampa, and I have so much love for my players there. But this is a chance to connect with new players and make a difference, which is what coaching and teaching are all about.”
Coen also dismissed speculation that his change of heart was influenced by the Jaguars’ decision to part ways with GM Trent Baalke after Coen initially withdrew from consideration.
“This decision had nothing to do with that,” Coen clarified. “It was entirely about the opportunity to work with a great owner, a fantastic group of people, and players who need support. Coaching is about helping and connecting with people, and that’s what drew me to this role. No, Baalke’s situation was not a factor at all.”
Whether you take Liam Coen at his word or not, the timing of his reversal following Trent Baalke’s dismissal certainly raises eyebrows. Reports suggest the GM’s firing may have played a role in convincing Coen to reconsider, and owner Shad Khan’s comments strongly hinted that the move was made, at least in part, to lure Coen back into the fold.
From the outside, Coen’s handling of the situation appeared questionable enough that his wife felt compelled to publicly address some of the circulating rumors. While Coen himself is unlikely to divulge more details, the Jaguars seem confident in their decision, and Coen appears eager to turn the page and focus on his new role.
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