Liam Coen is not getting nearly enough credit for what he has accomplished in Jacksonville this season — and it’s time that changes.
After inheriting a 4–13 Jaguars team, Coen has transformed Jacksonville into a 10–4 playoff contender with a legitimate chance to win the AFC South for the first time in three seasons. This isn’t a minor turnaround. This is one of the most dramatic single-season transformations in the NFL.
Yet somehow, Coen remains an afterthought in the Coach of the Year discussion.
That’s a mistake.
From Bottom-25 Offense to Top-10 Unit
Last season, the Jaguars averaged 18.8 points per game, ranking outside the top 25 in the NFL. The offense lacked identity, explosiveness, and consistency.
Under Liam Coen?
That number has jumped to 26.9 points per game, which ranks 8th in the NFL.
That kind of offensive leap doesn’t happen by accident. It happens when elite coaching meets proper scheme fit — and Coen delivered both immediately.
Trevor Lawrence Is Thriving Under Coen
Perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Coen’s arrival has been Trevor Lawrence.
In his first season under Coen’s system, Lawrence is on pace for:
- Career highs in passing touchdowns
- Career highs in rushing touchdowns
- Career highs in rushing yards
And he’s doing it with three games still remaining.
Coen hasn’t just improved Lawrence statistically — he’s unlocked a more dynamic version of him. Lawrence is being used as a true dual-threat quarterback, operating with confidence, efficiency, and aggression that simply wasn’t there before.
This is what elite offensive coaching looks like.
The Buccaneers Without Coen Tell the Real Story
If there were any doubts about Coen’s value, just look south.
Since Coen left Tampa Bay for Jacksonville, the Buccaneers’ offense has taken a noticeable step back — particularly Baker Mayfield.
Baker Mayfield Production Comparison
2024 (With Coen):
- 4,500 passing yards
- 71.4% completion percentage
- 41 touchdowns
- 16 interceptions
- 106.8 QBR
- 17 games played
2025 (Without Coen):
- 2,999 passing yards
- 61% completion percentage
- 22 touchdowns
- 7 interceptions
- 90.6 QBR
- 14 games played
The drop-off is undeniable. Coen elevated Mayfield to the best season of his career — and without him, the production has regressed sharply.
Coaching impact matters. Coen’s absence proves it.
Coen vs. Vrabel: The COY Debate Isn’t Close
The only other coach frequently mentioned in the Coach of the Year conversation is Mike Vrabel, who also inherited a four-win team and pushed them to double-digit wins.
But context matters.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Category | Jaguars | Patriots |
|---|---|---|
| Strength of Schedule | 12th hardest | 32nd (easiest) |
| Football Power Index (FPI) | 1.7 | 0.9 |
| Preseason Win Total | 7.5 | 8.5 |
The Patriots played the easiest schedule in the NFL, while the Jaguars faced a top-12 toughest slate.
On top of that, Jacksonville outperformed expectations despite having a lower preseason win total than New England.
If wins are equal — but difficulty and expectations are not — then the more impressive coaching job is obvious.
Why Liam Coen Should Be the Front Runner
- Took a 4–13 team to 10–4
- Elevated a bottom-tier offense into a top-10 unit
- Maximized a franchise quarterback’s full skill set
- Succeeded against a much tougher schedule
- Exceeded preseason expectations
- Left behind a clear drop-off where he previously coached
What Liam Coen has done this season isn’t just good coaching — it’s elite.
Final Verdict
Coach of the Year isn’t about name recognition. It’s about impact.
No coach in the NFL has reshaped his team’s identity, ceiling, and trajectory more than Liam Coen in 2025. When you factor in schedule strength, offensive improvement, quarterback development, and expectation versus reality, the conclusion is unavoidable.
Liam Coen should be the front runner for NFL Coach of the Year — and it shouldn’t be up for debate.