There has been a plot twist in this year's hiring cycle involving Liam Coen.
After voluntarily removing himself from consideration for the Jaguars' head coaching vacancy and agreeing to terms on an extension with the Buccaneers as offensive coordinator this week, Coen is in Jacksonville speaking with the Jaguars about their top job and has emerged as the front-runner for the position, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Thursday.
Coen had previously interviewed for the position and was considered to be a top candidate when he decided against pursuing it further, instead striking a deal with the Buccaneers that included a raise. Hours later on Wednesday, the Jaguars parted ways with general manager Trent Baalke, an executive they'd previously backed after firing coach Doug Pederson in early January.
With Baalke out of the picture, it seems Coen is once again intrigued by the job and both parties share a mutual interest.
Jacksonville's fascination with Coen is certainly understandable: Coen directed the Buccaneers to a top-four finish in total yards, passing yards and rushing yards per game in his first season as Tampa Bay's play-caller, helping Baker Mayfield reset his career-high marks in passing yards (4,500) and passing touchdowns (41) along the way.
Although they're coached by a defensive-minded individual in Todd Bowles, the Buccaneers became an offensive team in 2024 because of Coen's ability to extract the most from his players. Mayfield even found success through the air without his top two targets -- Mike Evans and Chris Godwin -- and once Evans returned, he teamed up with Mayfield to lead the Buccaneers to another NFC South title, clearing the 1,000-yard receiving mark on the final play of the regular season to boot.
Coen comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree, having spent time under McVay in Los Angeles before bouncing between the Rams and the University of Kentucky for a few seasons. When Dave Canales left Tampa to take the Panthers' top job in 2024, the Buccaneers turned to Coen to orchestrate the offense and enjoyed the fruits of his labor throughout 2024, watching Mayfield surpass his own ceiling previously set under Canales.
Now, Coen appears to be on the same track as the Panthers coach, except he might not even have to leave Florida to receive a promotion.