Liam Coen withdraws from the Jaguars’ coaching search and stays with the Bucs on a new contract

Liam Coen is not leaving the Buccaneers this offseason.

While a report surfaced Tuesday that Tampa Bay was preparing for Coen to leave the franchise to become Jacksonville’s head coach, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Coen has taken himself out of the running for the Jaguars job. Instead, Coen will stay with the Buccaneers on a new contract that will make him one of the NFL’s highest-paid coordinators.

Coen, 39, joined the Buccaneers last season and helped turn Tampa Bay into one of the league’s most efficient offenses. The unit was no. 3 in total yards and no. 4 in points. Tampa Bay was also No. 4 in rushing and no. 3 in passing offenses in 2024, helping the club capture a fourth straight NFC South title.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield completed 71.4 percent of his throws for 4,500 yards with 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. His completion rate, yards and touchdowns all set new career highs.

If Coen had left, the Buccaneers would have needed a new offensive coordinator for the third straight season. After head coach Todd Bowles fired Byron Leftwich, Dave Canales came in for the 2023 season and after one year was hired to coach the Panthers.

Now the Buccaneers will have continuity at a key point on their staff.

But the Jaguars’ coaching search continues. They reportedly arranged second interviews with former Jets head coach Robert Saleh and Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham.