Liam Coen “Can’t Lose”
January 23rd, 2025
Played offseason beautifully.
Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen may have made the smartest move of the 2025 coaching cycle.
Who said that? Why the football sophist we all love by way of CBS. And that would be prickly Pete Prisco.
When Prisco learned Coen pulled his name out of the running for the Jaguars head coaching gig and instead agreed to a new contract with the Bucs, Prisco took to Twitter to talk about Cown pulling the plug on his second interview with the Jags.
Prisco, who is based in Jacksonville, was impressed by how Coen played this all out. Coen at least appeared “this close” to taking the Jags job when Team Glazer swooped in with a new contract.
And in the process, Coen set himself up with a good job for 2026 no matter what happens, Prisco believes.
@PriscoCBS: Coen can’t lose. If the Bucs are good and the offense is again good, he can go somewhere next year. If the team stinks, he will almost certainly take over as coach.
Whoa! So Prisco believes Bucs coach Todd Bowles is on the hot seat already and that Team Glazer would simply promote Coen to take over for Bowles?
Then that prompts more questions. What keeps Bowles in his job after this season, a winning record? Another division title? A playoff win? What if the Bucs win the division with eight wins like Bowles did in 2022?
Coen may have set himself up for a head coaching job next year (keep your eye on what Arch Manning does this time next year), but Prisco missed a highly important part of what Coen received in this savvy maneuvering.
Cash.
Coen can’t lose. If the Bucs are good and the offense is again good, he can go somewhere next year. If the team stinks, he will almost certainly take over as coach.
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) January 22, 2025
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:12 am
I honestly don’t think 8 wins will be acceptable for him to keep his job. I think if his defense doesn’t significantly improve he will be asked to retire or let go, it’ll be Coen’s job.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:13 am
What if his offense stinks next season?
Not saying it will happen, just sayin’…
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:15 am
Duh! Most of us had that (Prisco’s analysis) figured out before Coen pulled his hat out of the ring.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:19 am
Coen went for a practice interview and got a feel for his value. He got a counter from the Glazers and stayed. A much better situation here with Licht and the Glazers than with Khan and Baalke.
Ashley has been a good soldier with all of Liam’s moves, but Liam knows it’s good for his family to stay in Tampa.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:19 am
If the offense stinks next year, why he will become the next coach?
Maybe Prisco is medicated…..
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:25 am
I say great win for Coen and great win for the Bucs. This was our Super Bowl. Both the Bucs and Coen by doing this give both opportunities down the line. Yes, I would say Coen played this very smart. Just a guess, but I believe he had no intentions of going to Jacksonville unless all collapsed here. Face it Jacksonville was probably the worst place to go, well until they fired their GM.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:26 am
I always thought the win-win was to figure out how to keep both Bowles and Liam for the 2025 season. The sheer optics of the Bucs firing Bowles after leading the Bucs to 3 NFC South titles for a total of 4-straight banners, in fear of losing a first year NFL play caller to a HC job at JAX would not have sat well from a team/player perspective, but also a media perspective, it would have looked bad for Tampa on the national stage, and the pressure would have been intense for Coen to try and show-up Bowles’ success by having to flawlessly perform as a HC and innovative play caller.
But now, Liam gets a chance with the SAME roster which will be even healthier and more experienced, that he should pick up where he left off, oh yeah, zero pressure on him to do more than he’s been doing. Bowles on the hand, his seat is warm, but should get his defense reloaded in the offseason, where he will be out of excuses if he duplicates the same performance from 2024 to 2025, and if Liam comes close with his PPG, to include finally getting some clutch game wins, perhaps a prime time game win as well… all the Bowles haters will get their wish and we will move with Liam as next HC.
I’ve been downplaying it quite a bit, but after further reflection, it shouldn’t be overlooked how impressive Liam must have been during his JAX interview, and it’s not from a lack of competition… if all the rumors were right and that he was going to be asked to be the next HC there. Bucs appear to be in a very fortunate situation right now.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:26 am
The offense is not going to “stink” next season, and if Licht can pull off his draft magic with a couple of ILB’s, an edge and some corners, the state of the ship will be just fine.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:27 am
Ben Johnson had the pick of the litter this year. Liam will have the pick next year unless McVay’s wife or children decide to coach.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:29 am
There is a 3rd Option … And one I think is more likely.
The Bucs are good. Bowles retires. Coen takes over as HC.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:30 am
Everyone knows Todd Bowles sucks. No matter how hard the Tampa Media tries to force-feed him to us.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:31 am
The fate of Bowles and Coen depends alot on the performance of Baker Mayfield, especially if they make the playoffs again.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:32 am
You guys are making way to much out of winning the worst division in football. How about a deep playoff run? How about a NFC Champion appreance? Why are you settling for a mediocre division title that means nothing!! I just dont understand how some are so impressed when we get bounced out of the playoffs in the 1st round a majority of the time, showing you that we werent good in the first place.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:32 am
Just the same…I’ll feel a heck of a lot better about Coen actually staying in Tampa, after Jacksonville hires a new HC.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:38 am
Disagree. We don’t draft defense. We sign FA edge, aninside linebacker and corner. Draft BPA even if it’s an offensive player. Bowels might not be here in 2026 to see that player develop and that player might not fit the the new defensive coordinators scheme
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:39 am
The thing that is keeping Bowles from getting fired is that the players love him. But I think that factor has run it’s course. I don’t feel so bad about our defense after watching the Commanders put 41 in Detroit but we have a weakness in the middle of the field that everyone knows about.
Joe, you made the Glaziers act with your articles. Now make them force Bowles to hire a good DC.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:41 am
The offense could stink. Injury bug could hit Baker and receivers. But of course that wouldn’t be an excuse he could use or anyone else.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:42 am
Amen John Sinclear, some positives and hope not Bowles stink or fire Bowles.
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:50 am
Why waste another season under Bowles inept futility?
Hire McCarthy as HC. Coen gets to learn under him for at least a year.
If Coen leaves after that so be it. McCarthy will find a great replacement.
And we can get a competent aggressive young DC to revamp the lousy pass defense.
Tell Bowles to go pound sand! 28-27
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:50 am
On Todd to fix the defense, the pass defense is just awful and has been for quite some time.
No more excuses about injuries or miscommunication FIX THE PASS DEFENSE!!!!!!!!!!
QB’s have it easy against this scheme and NOTHING changes
January 23rd, 2025 at 10:55 am
Why would Coen work under MacCarthy? The things people post
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:12 am
Joe is thinking the opposite. Why would McCarthy want Coen?
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:14 am
Why would Coen work under MacCarthy? The things people post
Joe is thinking the opposite. Why would McCarthy want Coen?
No argument there but if I’m canning Bowles, I’m choosing Coen over McCarthy.
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:23 am
If Bowles refuses to hire a DC and free himself up to focus on the details of being a HC, and the defense continues to regress especially against the pass (in a passing league) , it is very clear what happens after that. That’s logic, not hate.
It’s a performance business and right now the pass defense is the drag keeping the team from reaching its full potential.
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:25 am
I think this is the best possible situation. I am not a lover of Todd Bowles game planning and clock management. I will recognize that his players love them and he is a leader of men. I also think it sets a bad message to potential coach hires and to the team to eject a popular coach who also has improved their record year after year and won multiple division titles.
I also think it sets up management to basically without saying it have their head coaching waiting still on the team so that if Todd bowls defense is once more the reason the team does not progress, it will be easier to elevate Liam Coen if the offense is successful in its second season.
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:33 am
“Everyone knows Todd Bowles sucks. No matter how hard the Tampa Media tries to force-feed him to us.”
NYBucsfan go back to the Jets where they’re more accustomed to idiot fans!
NO EVERYONE does not know that unless you’re “everyone”.
In your own illogical sentence, typical of Jets/Giants fans, please explain the logic of that sentence for us. Doesn’t the “Tampa Media” contain people as in not part of your Everyone arrogance? Perhaps like our tinfoil guy here who believes EVERYTHING is rigged you think the Media is in the tank?
Feel free to elaborate how you’re not insulting ALL the people here like me and the many others who actually have a measured view of Bowles much as Jjoe has posted! Are we not valid fans part of “EVERYONE”?
So if it’s about insults…I get it. You’re from New York a fan base loaded with nasty disrespectful people!
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:37 am
Bowels is a lame-duck coach going into season 2025…
NFCS teams have shown they are improving while Bucs are producing the same like results the past few seasons which means the Bucs chances of getting 9+ wins is getting slimmer..
Getting swept by a struggling Falcons team was an eye opener….
Bowels defense stays mediocre then the Falcons and Panthers very well could over take the Bucs in the division and Bowels should surely be GONE and deservedly so…
Is Coen the Bucs answer as HC… No one knows for sure…
The truth is becoming more clear that Bowels is not the answer!
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:46 am
Someone actually said
“ So if it’s about insults…I get it. You’re from New York a fan base loaded with nasty disrespectful people!”
Do you have data to support this claim? Ever been to NY? Or maybe the skin is a little too thin? Man. Let the outrage go. Trying to be all holier than thou doesn’t fit with that quote.
January 23rd, 2025 at 11:50 am
The pressure is all on Todd Bowles now. We have one of the top 5 NFL Offenses. FIND US A GD DEFENSE BOWLES!!!
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:11 pm
I thought this was about the good news of Coen coming back but it all seem to be, fire Bowles, Bowles bashing SMH
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:14 pm
Prisco doesnt understand that Coen may very well go through the Byron Leftwich experience….
A hot coaching candidate one year, then the next year your Pro Bowl center goes down, quarterback declines, other injuries pile up, and the offense sucks and then you’re out of a job.
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:24 pm
I mean, I’ve bashed Bowles and criticized his defense too but, this was when the Bucs lost to a rookie QB and Denver, when the Bucs had a chance to rap up the playoffs earlier and the defense failed and they had to pray and hope Atlanta lost. Yes we all are a lil frustrated with the situation. However, we can vent, curse, criticize Bowles but at the end of the day the Glazers and Licht have made their choice and as bad as it seems to be with so many, just look around at the Jags, Gaints, the Browns, Raiders, Jets and so many more
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:25 pm
So if it’s about insults…I get it. You’re from New York a fan base loaded with nasty disrespectful people!
—–
Crying about being insulted but you are the one whos been insinuating everyone is racist, Clearly you cant handle the same stuff you dish out. Hypocrite. LMAO
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:32 pm
I’m hearing through family members that Liam got a plane to Jacksonville today. He has already agreed to a contract with TB, but not signed anything yet. WTF!??
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:36 pm
We are so spoiled how many division titles and a Super Bowl since 2020, how many teams can say that,,,, Chiefs ,,, maybe Rams,,, that’s about it ,,, I’ll take another one next year ,, and if Bowles can get a top 5 or 10 D ,,, the sky is the limit
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:46 pm
Isn’t 2025 the last year of Bowles contract? If no extension prior to the season, the writing is on the wall IMO
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:54 pm
Lightningvinny
It’s mostly the bandwagon fans that have these sudden unrealistic expectations …. I think most of us long-suffering fans can appreciate where this team is right now and what it’s capable of doing going forward
Apparently Brady somehow made the fans of the losingest franchise in pro sports history act like we should be winning the Super Bowl every single year.
Gotta wonder if all these Bowles haters are 12-year-old Brady stans
January 23rd, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Wait so only bandwagon fans hold their team to high standards?
I think its more realistic that you are comfortable with mediocrity and dont like anyone whos expectations exceed yours.
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:04 pm
If the offense is effective again next year and the defense struggles there will be trouble for Bowles. Even if we make the playoffs, if we don’t advance deep in the tournament it could be Bowles final year. I am confident however, that Jason Licht is going to load up that defense for Bowles. Barring another year of catastrophic defensive injuries the excuses on defense should be few. And if we hear another year of how they don’t understand how a coverage gets blown on a simple first day install that is all on Bowles.
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Couch
“Crying about being insulted but you are the one whos been insinuating everyone is racist, Clearly you cant handle the same stuff you dish out. Hypocrite. LMAO
AGAIN. Try some reading comprehension! You’re behaving like a total coward now. Grow a pair and answer a SIMPLE QUESTION!
“insinuating everyone is racist”
I’m not INSINUATING ANTHING. I’m making a SIMPLE observation which for some reason YOU have trouble comprehending. Just answer the question and we can clear this up.
I’ve pointed out that using DEI and “Rooney Rules” in your insults of Todd is insulting him based on the color of his skin. IF it’s NOT why cant you explain what you and others who trot out a tired old trope really mean.
I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt yet you cant find the courage to even ATTEMPT an answer. What do people mean when they say Todd is a DEI or Rooney Rule hire. Go ahead and educate me!
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:32 pm
We will have Coen as HC next year Bowles is ready to retire after this year plus all the traveling he will have to do to watch his son play will not be an easy thing for him to do and wear both hats as HC and DC im sure these things were talked about when Coen sat down with JL to discuss his new contract.
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:35 pm
To Todd Bowles defense (no pun intended):
Watch a non-Bucs game and root for one of the teams – it is incredible how that team will seem to give up big pass plays and have timely porous defenses. I think this is the modern day NFL where passing is just hard to lockdown.
The corner talent was thin – and teams that had the same issues struggled too.
Mainly: The talent on offense was so loaded that there should have NEVER been a time any game fell in the defense’s to make or break. The playoff game sums this up: there is no reason the Bucs shouldn’t have maintained a 17 point lead the entire game.
Also – I lived in New York City for 8 years; some people there suck, some are nice … just like everywhere else in the world not called Philadelphia.
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:40 pm
Couch – 100% spot on. The criticism ot the pass defense and other things has been well earned from true fans. It’s not hateful to point out the obvious areas of weakness and expect improvement. The few with thin skin would rather accept a plate of turds and want to hear only good about it. No negative comments!
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:43 pm
@JS Says… interesting if you’re telling the truth…
There was someone on Bleacher Report pushing the narrative immediately following Baalke’s firing that JAX could pursue Coen again. But then there’s the narrative from Florio that claims Liam wasn’t going to be the guy in JAX.
I hope Liam signs and we can put this to rest. It would be a pretty nasty fallout if Liam turncoats and signs with JAX.
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:44 pm
So let’s say a season or two Bowles retires and Coen takes over. That would be two HC’s in a row that were groomed and not “hired” which I believe is a first. We aren’t blowing guys out of here and we are developing coaches now
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:48 pm
Couch Fan
Not sure if your aware, but 3 playoff appearances in arrow and being 1 Drive away from the NFC Championship last year isnt “mediocrity”, as you say.
January 23rd, 2025 at 1:52 pm
Aqualung
The criticisms of the pass defense are well warranted, but my question is why does everyone place all the blame on Bowles and basically none on Jason Licht? Who has struggled to build a complete secondary and find a pass rusher?
Licht has a long history of struggling to build a good secondary and draft a pass rusher.
January 23rd, 2025 at 2:41 pm
@Tbbucs3
ALELUYA!!!!
Thx god…finally a Bucs fan who thinks with his brain, and not his heart….
Agree 100% with you Tbbucs3!!!!!
January 23rd, 2025 at 3:12 pm
Ballhawk75
Mike McCarthy record with Dallas in case you missed it before.
.583
This is the most logical, non troll, post I’ve seen from you in a while. I actually agree with you.
I know you’re capable of having a “discussion”. Why resort to name calling and personal attacks on people you don’t even know? You’d get a lot less pushback if you made posts like this – it’s opinion but so what, it’s not name calling or button pushing. It’s possible the thrill of pissing people off is what mainly floats your boat, but those of us who disagree with you aren’t the enemy…. You’re going to do what you want but I did want to acknowledge I read this quoted post and didn’t think f%<ki&g troll.
Have a nice day bro – really ✌🏼
January 23rd, 2025 at 4:17 pm
Okay, I want to know HOW many of the whiners on here were Tampa Bay Bucs GENUINE fans from 1976? Joe talks about the seasons in the 21st century when the Bucs bit the big one. Heh, how about the years 1983-1995/6? Were you a Bucs fan then? Prove it! That was the REAL Dark Ages for us Bucs fans. Yeah, where if the team won all 4 preseason games, we figured they were champs, but then went on to do the usual 2-14, 3-13, 4-12, 5-11, 6-10 (boy howdy, a SB year), etc., etc. The national sports yahoos were being polite when they called them, “The Clown Princes of the NFL.” People would wear bags to cover their faces at Tampa Stadium. Not me. I will say we never had the fan nutcases you read about at Philly, Miami, and recently, Detroit games. And this Division baloney. Divisions go through cycles, good to bad to good. The AFC East has one decent team: Bills. The NFC East has Philly and now Washington. Wow, powerhouses, huh? I’m even hearing that the NFC West is slipping. What a shock. And as far as New York goes, both the Giants and Jets STINK!
January 23rd, 2025 at 4:23 pm
1976…me. Fishing on the Hillsborough River just before kickoff v. the Rams. “Dad – we gotta go. I think the Buccaneers are going to be pretty good.” 0-26.
January 23rd, 2025 at 5:46 pm
Since the inception, oralbuc. Was in the Stadium for Bucs first home win against the Cardinals, with my dad and grandpa. If you think the only way to be a fan is to polish the coach’s noggin, you are sadly mistaken. Criticism is not hate. Sure people get off the rails with name calling but some of that is to blow off steam and maybe have a laugh. Most of us are here for some fun. And. Couple of us like to share drinking stories
January 23rd, 2025 at 6:06 pm
Aqualung Says:
January 23rd, 2025 at 5:46 pm
Since the inception, oralbuc
——————
Really? It’s orlbucfan, nitwit. I didn’t know central FL had a NFL team until my beloved, hardcore Bucs fan and FL native, MIL told me about them. I just stared at her in disbelief. 1979, before that, I was working and going to school. I had no access to TV (sure didn’t miss it). Once I found out, that was it, I was hooked. Big time. Enough said.
January 23rd, 2025 at 6:11 pm
It’s my autocorrect. I apologize. It happens a lot. Sometimes I catch them sometimes I don’t.
Go Bucs.
January 23rd, 2025 at 6:39 pm
GoneGator (autocorrect makes you Generator, I may have missed a few I apologize, orlbuc is also autocorrected all the time) , Algo Rhythm seems to prohibit me from replying to you so I will attempt another go.
Getting a full time DC and freeing Bowles to be a 100% focused head coach has been my hope all along. I’ve said so many times. The pass defense is only getting worse, and Bucs beating Bucs is also getting worse. This one hire should solve two problems, hopefully.