Jaguars proprietor Shad Khan’s son and AEW proprietor Tony Khan couldn’t even ship any such storyline swerve relating to Liam Coen’s beautiful change of plans.
“We name {that a} plot twist, an enormous plot twist for the Jacksonville Jaguars for his or her head teaching search,” NFL Community insider Rapoport mentioned Thursday night time.
In one of many extra beautiful developments in latest teaching search historical past, Coen agreed to turn out to be the Jaguars’ head coach, per a number of studies, after beforehand eradicating himself from consideration and agreeing to a Buccaneers extension that will have made him the NFL’s highest-paid coordinator.
Coen shocked many across the NFL together with his maneuvering throughout this wild 48-hour stretch that included him leaving his now former staff unable to contact him.
“As one particular person mentioned in regards to the two-day saga that noticed the Jaguars lose their GM, the Buccaneers lose their OC and Coen settle for two jobs – one which made him the NFL’s highest-paid coordinator, and one other to turn out to be Jacksonville’s HC: ‘I’ve by no means seen something prefer it in my life,’” ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted.
It takes so much for sports activities executives to be shocked these days, particularly since offers can appear tantalizingly shut solely to collapse in seconds or to be resurrected when seemingly useless on arrival.
However Coen’s saga is one which absolutely will probably be talked about for years to return.
Coen, the first-year offensive coordinator, initially pulled himself out of consideration for the Jaguars’ gig and as a substitute opted to return to Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers then awarded him essentially the most profitable coordinator contract within the spot, with Rapaport noting the deal was “carried out, it was agreed to, every part was positive” except for staffing questions.
However every part was not positive.
“After which he type of disappeared,” Rapoport mentioned.
The Jaguars fired normal supervisor Trent Baalke later that day, which modified the equation for Coen since that had been a think about why he handed on the job, per ESPN.
Jacksonville reached out to Coen to ask him to rethink after the transfer and he met Thursday with Khan and interim normal supervisor Ethan Waugh, per the report.
The Buccaneers, in the meantime, had some alarms going off once they couldn’t contact Coen.
Coen instructed Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles “earlier Thursday night time” about his sudden change of coronary heart however didn’t discuss to normal supervisor Jason Licht or the remainder of the entrance workplace, per ESPN.
“Actually went darkish on them for the final 24 hours as they tried to get solutions, he tried to get solutions as nicely however for a unique state of affairs,” Rapoport mentioned Thursday night time. “They had been making an attempt to determine what was happening with Liam Coen, why hadn’t he signed his extension, he really was heading all the way down to Jacksonville … the place he’s within the constructing proper now speaking to them about their head teaching job.”
These talks led to the perimeters agreeing to a deal late Thursday night time, per studies, and an announcement may come Friday.
The Jaguars are hoping Coen might help stabilize their franchise and get essentially the most out of No. 1 decide Trevor Lawrence, who has underwhelmed relative to excessive expectations to date in 4 seasons.
Additionally they nonetheless have to seek out their new normal supervisor and it’s honest to imagine that Coen could have a say in that course of.
The Buccaneers, after being left on the altar, will probably be trying to find their third offensive coordinator in as a few years.
The one benefit they’ve is the final two coaches to carry that place — Coen and Panthers coach Dave Canales — have each parlayed their success in that position right into a head teaching job.
“A lot of that is about Trevor Lawrence and ensuring the quarterback place is correct,” Rapaport mentioned. “Liam Coen did a wonderful job as an offensive coordinator for the Bucs, that has been no debate. However how he acquired there? Definitely, I’d say, is somewhat bit spicy.”