Liam Coen is only 40 years old. Just months ago, many people saw him as a risky hire. Now he is one of the most talked about coaches in the NFL playoffs.
His first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars could not have gone much better. The team finished 13–4. They won the AFC South. They earned the No. 3 seed.
It all started a little awkwardly. His first press conference went viral for the wrong reasons. His stretched out “DUUUVAL” became a joke online. At the time, it felt uncomfortable.
That noise faded fast.
Once the season began, Jacksonville looked sharp. The offense moved with purpose. The team played clean football. Adjustments were made every week. The Jaguars stayed in control of games.
Coen’s story did not begin in Jacksonville. He was a quarterback at UMass. He started for four years. He was never flashy, but he understood the game deeply.
When his playing days ended, he went straight into coaching. He worked at Brown. Then Rhode Island. Then UMass again. Then Maine. Those years shaped how he teaches and plans.
Coen built a reputation as a clear thinker. He could break things down simply. Players trusted him.
His big break came with the Rams. Working under Sean McVay changed everything. He learned how elite NFL offenses are built. He learned weekly preparation at the highest level.
He moved between college and the NFL. Kentucky helped him grow. Returning to the Rams as offensive coordinator sharpened his skills even more.
By the time he reached Tampa Bay in 2024, he was ready. The Buccaneers finished top 5 in scoring and total offense. That season pushed him into head coach conversations.
Jacksonville hired him in January 2025. Some fans were unsure. He was young. He had never led a team before.
Then the games were played.
The Jaguars did not just win. They looked organized. They looked confident. They looked prepared.
Now comes the real test.
Jacksonville hosts Buffalo in the playoffs. The Bills are 12–5. They have been here before. They know the pressure.
This is Coen’s first playoff game as a head coach. The moment is bigger. The margin is smaller. Every decision matters.
No matter what happens, his season has already been a success. A division title. Thirteen wins. A top seed.
But the playoffs are different.
This is where stories change. This is where coaches are remembered.
What began as an awkward introduction has turned into something serious. With Buffalo coming to town, Liam Coen steps into the spotlight that defines NFL careers.
