Liam Coen isn't going anywhere. According to Adam Schefter ofESPNthe Buccaneers offensive coordinator has withdrawn from the race to be Jaguars coach. The 39-year-old coach has chosen to stay in Tampa.
For the Jaguars, this is another setback after Ben Johnson, considered their first choice, committed to the Chicago Bears. Coen was in fact one of three candidates who had to undergo a second interview in Jacksonville. Robert Saleh, the former coach of the New York Jets, as well as Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham are therefore the only two candidates still in the running.
Liam Coen lands a well-deserved new contract
If Liam Coen chooses to stay in Tampa, it is also because the Buccaneers have done what is necessary to keep their coordinator. The coach will sign a new contract that will place him among the highest paid coordinators in the NFL. A just reward.
Under him, Tampa Bay had the third-best offense in the NFL and finished fourth in points scored this season. Quarterback Baker Mayfield also had the best season of his career, with records in terms of yards (4,500) and touchdowns thrown (41).
With this extension, Tampa Bay is removing a big thorn in its side. If Coen had left, they would have indeed faced a second offensive coordinator change in two years. As a reminder, Dave Canales left the team at the end of last season to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
