The official announcement is “pending last negotiations,” with Russini noting that Coen is heading again residence to Tampa Bay whereas his representatives finalize particulars with the Jaguars. Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports reported earlier that the 2 sides had been in “energetic negotiations.” In line with Jeff Howe of The Athletic, Coen has already knowledgeable the Buccaneers that he’ll be taking the job in Jacksonville.
It was solely 36 hours in the past that we discovered Coen was backing out of the sweepstakes to stick around because the Buccaneers offensive coordinator. According to Breer, Tampa Bay was handing the coach an extension that may make him the highest-paid coordinator in NFL historical past. Coen would additionally get to stay in a well-known spot, would get to proceed guiding Baker Mayfield‘s revival, and can be positioned to enter the pinnacle teaching cycle subsequent offseason.
Issues quickly modified. The Jaguars fired Trent Baalke following stories that the GM was a deterrent to HC candidates. Following that improvement, it didn’t take long for Coen to reenter the conversation, because the coach reportedly took a secret journey to Jacksonville to fulfill with Jaguars management in individual. We heard earlier Thursday evening that the Jaguars had been persistent of their makes an attempt to get Coen to rethink, and Russini says possession known as the coach instantly to clarify that they’d let him decide the following common supervisor whereas additionally paying him “Ben Johnson-level cash.”
That last-ditch effort has apparently labored, as Coen is all however sure to be named the Jaguars subsequent head coach. The offensive coordinator recently emerged as the favorite for the position after the crew’s preliminary goal, Johnson, landed with the Bears. Shad Kahn wasn’t going to let one other candidate get away, particularly after the Jaguars needed to pivot off high possibility Byron Leftwich in 2022.
Throughout that final hiring cycle, the crew ended up choosing Doug
Pederson, who lasted solely three seasons in Jacksonville. Whereas the Jaguars introduced in quite a lot of offensive and defensive coaches throughout their energetic search, it was believed that the group was prioritizing a coach who may get essentially the most out of franchise QB Trevor Lawrence.
Coen has not too long ago garnered a popularity as somebody who can maximize their QB, as he helped information Mayfield to a career-best season in 2024. That displaying additionally helped put Coen again on the head-coaching radar following a couple of bumps with the Rams and Kentucky. This head-coaching job will now characterize Coen’s sixth distinctive gig up to now six years, and each the coach and the Jaguars are certainly hoping he’ll be sticking round for the long-term.
