Liam Coen texted Baker Mayfield that he was staying with the Buccaneers as offensive coordinator on Tuesday, according to ESPN.
On Friday, the Jacksonville Jaguars officially announced Coen as their new head coach, coming after a roller coaster of a week.
Coen also texted head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht on Tuesday that he wanted to stay with the Bucs, according to the report.
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After texting the Bucs’ brass, Coen then withdrew from consideration for the Jaguars head coaching job on Wednesday.
The Buccaneers were prepared to make Coen the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the NFL.
However, the Jaguars parted ways with their general manager, Trent Baalke, on Wednesday afternoon. Jaguars owner Shad Khan contacted Coen directly to see if he would reconsider taking the head coaching job.
On Thursday, Coen was in Jacksonville for an in-person interview and was eventually hired.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) talks with offensive coordinator Liam Coen against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
While Coen was in Jacksonville interviewing, the Bucs waited for him to enter the building and sign his new contract to stay with the team.
But the Bucs couldn’t get in touch with Coen or his agent, and they began to realize he was unreachable because he was in Jacksonville interviewing for the job, the report said.
The Jaguars are hoping Coen can help Trevor Lawrence have a career year like he did for Mayfield last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen watches from the sideline during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron, File)
The Bucs averaged 29.5 points per game. game in the regular season, and Mayfield threw a career-high 41 touchdowns en route to winning the NFC South.
The Jaguars went 4-13 last season with Lawrence missing time due to injury, which led Khan to fire head coach Doug Pederson and eventually Baalke after the season.
Coen wants the No. 5 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft to try to begin the Jaguars’ turnaround.
