Audition Week For Liam Coen

December 26th, 2024

So a lot of NFL owners, possibly even Team Glazer, want to see what Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen does Sunday in a high-pressure game against the NFL-worst Panthers defense.

A hot name withing NFL head coach chatter, Coen will have a Pro Bowl quarterback, an elite running back, a Hall of Fame receiver and a stout offensive line at his disposal.

After what should be a hearty “thank you” to Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht for securing all those tools, Coen should go out and punish the Panthers.

Frankly, Coen’s 2025 future options could be on the line.

Yes, Coen’s runs an offense ranked No. 5 in scoring, No. 3 in yards, No. 3 in first downs, No. 3 in yards per carry and No. 4 in touchdowns, but the NFL is and can be the ultimate what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league.

If Coen’s unit drops a clunker on Sunday, then his head-coach stock (whatever that may or may not be) could plummet at the worst time for his career.

Think about it, a 24-12 Bucs loss (football gods forbid) would let a lot of air out of Coen’s balloon. So Joe sees Sunday as the game of Coen’s young playcalling career.

Some Bucs fans are weighing a desire for Coen to replace Todd Bowles after this season. Joe doesn’t stand on that line of the sand on Dec. 26. But it’s fair to say Bowles is on trial in this critical game, and so is his offensive coordinator.

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27 Responses to “Audition Week For Liam Coen”

  1. SB~LV Says:

    The release of the notion of TB resigning was very curious….

  2. Pewter Power Says:

    Nah I think some teams like the giants are so desperate they already have this guy penciled in. They look at his ranking now and are satisfied. He kept them afloat without Evans. Meanwhile Todd Bowles gives up the booty to however wants it.

  3. Upstate NY BUC Says:

    I think this Defense needs to be put on trial immediately!! and every defensive coach should be canned if we lose either of these next 2 games. Coen will be just fine!! not worried about the offense. Go Bucs

  4. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    I honestly think Liam Coen is gone after this season……. how he’s turned around the offense and putrid running attack the Bucs has had forever is nothing short of amazing……. he’s too good of a coordinator to keep underwraps…….

    I just cannot stand Bowles idea of soft zones and blitzing attacks all the time now… .

    It’s clearly evident now in this league that if you don’t have coverage linebackers….. then soft zones like what Bowles runs every week is clearly a weak spot on Defense…… but Bowles doesn’t…… he plays “bend but don’t break”……

    ^^^^^^^…..this simply doesn’t work anymore

  5. Durango 95 Says:

    Guess I don’t see the same importance to this week’s game as it relates to Coen as Joe does. Seems to me there is another coach that needs to prove his worth much more than anyone else. So sad when you think what this season could have been if one coach had held up his end of the bargain. Fans are frustratded because this season was served up on a silver platter for the team to do great things. I get the sense that JBF is treading lightly when it comes to the subject of Coach Bowles and his future here. I have a theory, but I can’t say for sure, so I won’t go there.

  6. Bill Kilmer Says:

    Well Joe you mightnot stand on this line now having Coen replace Bowles today, however,should they lose Sun, my guess is you may change your mind pretty quick. I know for me, intially I was not in favor of it and still not quite there, but close. I don’t see Bowles changing this defense. I mean look what he says and it is clear he believes this defense will work. Yes , if he had better personnel , it likely would. However, he doesn’t, so either the defense must change to adapt to what he has or he needs, at least 1 inside lb, 2 edge rushers, at least one cover corner and at least 1 safety. I don;t think we are going to see that happen . We don’t know how Coen woud do as a head coach, however, we know we are not going to find a better offensive cordinator. I think the writing is already onthe wall.Unless some miracle turnaround the Bucs season is soon coming to a close and the Glazers will act accordingly. At this pointitjust seems to be the best possible answer If it does comes to fruition you saw it here first!!!

  7. Ds Says:

    Run the damn ball

  8. Joe Says:

    I get the sense that JBF is treading lightly when it comes to the subject of Coach Bowles and his future here. I have a theory, but I can’t say for sure, so I won’t go there.

    There’s no “theory.” If the Bucs end up with a winning record (even if the Bucs miss the playoffs), Joe doesn’t see Bowles getting fired. Doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Just that Joe doesn’t think it is likely.

    If the Bucs have a losing record, well, who knows?

    There’s no conspiracy here.

  9. Beeej Says:

    Just read Shaq was waived. If he clears, he can play again this season

  10. BucEmUp Says:

    I hope Jason licht is smart enough to know what to do. We need and new head coach and a dc

  11. HomerSimpsonRocks Says:

    Glazers need to pay him enough to stay here. HC in waiting or HC now.

  12. LouisFriend Says:

    Two of the three winningest coaches in Bucs history were fired by the Glazers for not winning enough. Both were fired after winning seasons, FWIW.

    I absolutely see Bowles being fired if the season plays out with the Bucs out of the playoffs. It’s one thing to have a bad unit, it’s another thing entirely to squander greatness on the other side of the ball because the head coach couldn’t coach his own unit up enough to take advantage of it. That’s an inexcusable failure in the modern NFL. The Glazers are savvy, aware owners. They’ll make the right call.

  13. Show Me the TDs Says:

    Honestly, I hope he lays an egg, Bowles is fired, and Coen is hired. The Bucs are stuck in mediocrity. We won’t sniff another Superbowl with Todd at the helm.

  14. CobbtownBucFan Says:

    “Some Bucs fans are weighing a desire for Coen to replace Todd Bowles after this season. Joe doesn’t stand on that line of the sand on Dec. 26. ”

    Get real Joe and don’t worry about possibly offending Todd and/or the organization. Defining “Some Bucs Fans” when article after article 9 out of 10 JoeBuc fans are shouting for Bowles to be fired far exceeds “some”. At this point if it’s a choice between Coen or Bowles keeping the old guard would be insane!!!

  15. LouisFriend Says:

    HomerSimpsonRocks Says:
    December 26th, 2024 at 11:06 am

    Glazers need to pay him enough to stay here. HC in waiting or HC now.

    *******************************

    Bobby Slowick of the Texans took a pay raise and turned down a head coaching shot last year. This season he’s not going to get an interview, and it’s possible the Texans fire him for screwing up the offense. Even Byron Leftwich was offered and turned down the Jaguars job before being fired by the Bucs one year later. He’s probably working as a carpet salesman now.

    Never ever turn down a chance at the big chair, you may never get another chance.

  16. Saskbucs Says:

    Whether Coen stays or not, we need a new HC and DC.

    Both positions on the Bucs staff will be highly sought after. HC/OC steps into a ready to go top 5 offense. HC/DC has a ton of youth on the roster, some cap space and draft picks to add to Kancey, Diaby, Winfield, Vea, Smith, McCollum, Izien, Hall, Braswell… that’s pretty damn good start.

  17. ModHairKen Says:

    Coen is Rah.

    Is Bowles Gruden?

  18. Tye Says:

    Ther way the defense gives up point, Bowels value is slightly higher than the water boys….
    Coen is a gem of an coach that is rare these days….
    We about to see if this generation of Glazers are SERIOUS about winning as their Dad proved or is it just a business and winning has little value to them!….

    Bowels gets another year, and smart financial fans know its a waste of time and money to go to games just to watch the Bucs squander yet another year to mediocre coaching on defense!

  19. BallHawk75 Says:

    26-26

    That is what we have seen to this point. And in the worst division in the NFL.

    Put Bowles anywhere else and he’s a super sub 500 coach.

    Enough of the racial politics already.

    The guy simply can’t do the job.

    But I fear we have two more wasted years after this one to look forward to.

  20. Will Says:

    I think what the Joes might be forgetting about is Baker Mayfield’s connection to Liam. You can’t keep Baker here and let his play caller get away. The offense turned a major corner this year and that’s with two of our stud wrs missing games at the same time. I hope ownership has seen enough of what Bowels brings defensively over the years to know it’s time to move on from him as DC and head coach.

  21. Gipper Says:

    Billy Kilmer,
    Most of the young folks on this site don’t remember when you played for the team formerly known as the Washington Redskins.
    Glad to know at 85 you are still a player. Bucs will win the next two (finish 10-7)and sneak into playoffs where they will win the first game. Todd Bowles will be back unless the anti Bowles crowd lynches him.

  22. Alanbucsfan Says:

    If the Bucs lose their last 3 games with playoffs on the line to :
    Cooper Rush
    Bryce Young
    Spencer Rattler
    I think it’s safe to say the coaching staff will be different next year.

  23. Bucs4EverMore Says:

    The Real Failure, this Season is that the Glazers have Remained “Deaf, Dumb, and Removed” from Our Sad Drama. How can you Care about Your Team, and Your Fans, and Do Nothing? God Bless the Buccaneers and All who Love Them!

  24. #1bucsfan Says:

    Maybe coen dropping a clunker on Sunday is what’s best for the Bucs. 1st I want the Bucs to win the division and go to the playoffs but if coen drops a clunker maybe that keeps other teams from wanting him and he stays with the Bucs. I don’t have a losing mentality but realistically do any of us see the Bucs making it far in the playoffs with this defense and the way it gives up the booty. This defense needs a good 4 or 5 players to even get back to average. 2 edge rusher 2 linebackers and prob a few more DBs or maybe it’s just a new scheme we need for the D I mean there deff talent to build off

  25. GoneGator Says:

    If Coen gets a HC gig what will Joe write about? There goes 1/3 of your articles.
    What a ridiculous comment. –Joe

  26. RVATom Says:

    I think Coen’s decision is greatly influenced by what he sees in Bowles. If Coen is off the Bowles D train then I think it’ll be highly likely he bolts for a HC position…ANY HC position. Hell…a top tier OC position is something he might agree to if the offering team wants to give the Glazers a treasure trove of picks and cash, unlikely as it is.

    Coen to a decent HC opportunity vs staying with Bowles…I suspect it’s a no brainer unless he has faith Bowles can turn the D around with healthy personell.

    If the Glazers offered Coen the HC here? You never know if a Coordinator would be able to handle coordinating AND HC duties. Could be a flop. Couldn’t be worse than Bowles, right? Man, I wish Bowles would hire a D Coordinator and just be a focused HC. I think he holds the tea together well.

  27. BakerFan Says:

    Based upon the crap show called Tampa Bay Bucs Football why would Coen stay?

 

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