Buccaneers’ Liam Coen emerges as Jaguars head coach favorite

Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen is believed to be one of the leading candidates for the vacant Jaguars head coaching position as he prepares for a second interview with the team.

Coen, 39, is set to have his second interview on Wednesday, and he could be offered the job as soon as then, the Tampa Bay Times reported Tuesday.

The Bucs OC reportedly impressed Jaguars brass when he interviewed virtually, and he is viewed as someone who can help rehabilitate Trevor Lawrence’s play on the field after the success he’s had working with Baker Mayfield.

Mayfield set a career-high in passing yards with 4,500 and 41 touchdown passes during the 2024 campaign, his first full season working with Coen.

Liam Coen offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on during the first quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2024, in Tampa, Florida. Getty Images

The Jaguars have scheduled second interviews with former Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham later this week, but with both being defensive minds, they would need to bring in help to assist Lawrence.

The star Jaguars quarterback spoke with the team’s in-house media last week and explained what he hoped to see in the next head coach.

“But as far as just what I’m looking for, you know, I think just a great leader, someone that will again, which I felt like Coach (Doug Pederson) attempted to do, especially our first couple years, was set that culture and have that identity. And just being a tough team, I feel like we need to kind of get back to some of that,” Lawrence said.

“And for whatever reason, this past season, I felt like we lost some of that, and we had a lot of adversity, injuries and bunch of close games, one score losses, but to get back to that just gritty, tough team that sticks together, I feel like we need to get back to some of that. So, you know, I think that’s the biggest thing.”