Negotiator-In-Chief Liam Coen
January 2nd, 2025
“Hey Bake, you wanna see presnap motion? Watch this freakin’ news conference.”
Bravo to savvy podium NFL contract negotiator Liam Coen today at One Buc Palace.
The Bucs’ superstar offensive coordinator wants a head coaching job, he told the world today during his weekly Bucs news conference. But maybe not now, he added. Maybe age 39 is not his time because he’s having so much fun, Coen said.
This was right out of sales masterclass and Coen did it all with smile.
Man, perhaps Coen should get on the phones with the Bucs’ season tickets team once a week. Smile and dial ad pull in the cash.
Coen knows he will be in demand soon as a head coach candidate. Rest assured his agent knows the landscape intimately right now.
But hey, why not put it out there that perhaps you’re happy to sit tight and soak in the Florida sun and pass on what could be $20 million of guaranteed money in a new job.
Brilliant!
Coen did that multiple times today with various comments.
Yes, Team Glazer still has time to open the vault and make Coen an offer to pass on interviews in this month’s NFL hiring cycle. But time is running out.
Fill that bag of Coen cash. The man must have a price to pass on spinning the wheel.
Find it.
“I do believe I’m ready to [be a head coach],” Coen said today. “But yeah, that is a dream. Does that need to happen when I’m 39 years old and having probably the most fun in my life — coaching and working and being here? No.
“That doesn’t mean that needs to occur right now. But yeah, that is the goal. That is absolutely the goal. But like I said before, that goal can hold off for a while here and continue to do what we’re doing. That would be pretty special.”
Again, masterful weaving by Coen. He reminded Joe of a Border Collie at an agility competition.
Is a “hold off for a while” on head coach interest a reference to confidence in a Super Bowl run this season, or is Coen hinting he’ll hang out another full year in Tampa because it’s so cool?
Nobody knows. And that’s the point.
Joe is confident Team Glazer will act in the best interest of winning in this case.
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:33 pm
I hope they pay him a mint to stay at least one more year, then when somebody snipes him we’ll get a draft pick
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Pay him! Do not pass go, Pay him now.
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:40 pm
Give him a boatload of money, an “ASSISTANT HEAD COACH” title, and a guarantee that he’s first in line for HC job when Bowles steps down.
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:41 pm
Pay him HC money and let him know we want him to take over for Bowles in a year or 2. (if he continues his masterclass that is)
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:43 pm
It sounds to me like Coen’s willing to “hold off” a year or two if it means stepping up to the Bucs HC spot.
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:44 pm
That’s in alignment with what his uncle said about Liam on YT.
He could stay for the culture and become the Bucs next head coach when Todd retires…who we know for sure will retire. That would be ideal at this point.
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:44 pm
READ BETWEEN THE LINES …
Jason has told Coen he’s the HC once Bowles departs. Highly doubtful. NFL teams are free-flowing entities. Desires change. –Joe
Bowles has alluded to retiring this year or next. No he hasn’t. –Joe
The Bucs roster is loaded. They have all their pics and $27M – $35M to go shopping for OLB and MLB. My bet is Bowles takes one last run at a SB. I also think LVD comes back for a final year!!!
Expect Coen to be named co-HC in 2025 and HC in 2026. No team has a co-head-coach. Assistant head coach, yes, but not co-head-coach.–Joe
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:50 pm
BTW: After Sunday the Bucs are 4x NFC South Champion!!!!
Tied for the longest streak in the NFC South
Most NFCS Championships
Saints 7
Bucs 6
Next year is a big year for the organization. Most NFCS Titles, Longest NFCS Streak. Most Super Bowls. We’d dominate every category.
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:51 pm
Would you want to be head coach of the mess in New York with the Giants or Jets, the Raiders, Titans. NO QB in any of these. Or New Orleans–stuck with mediocrity and salary cap purgatory. Maybe the Bears but that division is loaded.
Analysts said the Bucs were in salary cap purgatory with no quarterback. And Denver was doomed for years in cap mess after the Russell Wilson debacle. Green Bay was in cap hell last year, too. Joe could go on. –Joe
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:54 pm
If Tampa loses on Sunday, the decision will be tough for the Glaziers. If they win, the Buccaneers will load up on good free agents for the defense and a trade or two. Bowles likely will stay one more year.
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:54 pm
Todd Blows should give Liam half his salary as he’s the only reason Todd is employed
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:57 pm
……..just keep on fanning those flames Joe…..
January 2nd, 2025 at 2:59 pm
yo all for the dead presidents is no dog loyalty but maybe he looks at canales year hes having fun has kids in school maybe give it another year but college mouths are expensive
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:00 pm
About time Joe posted an article about Liam and his possible future status. This is a very under reported story. Lol.
But seriously, the man seems smart. Of course he’s having a blast now! The guy knows if he keeps focusing on his CURRENT job he’ll have more, and better opportunities for a HC position later.
I think Baker is a strong reason Coen isn’t looking to jump ship for the 1st shot.
I think the most likely scenario is he’ll be here next year along with Todd
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:04 pm
The Bucs need to make Coen the HC THIS YEAR, otherwise he’ll be gone, IMHO.
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:06 pm
Pay him, make him HCIW like BA did with Bowles. He did not do this today by accident, he is signaling to the Glazers big time.
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:08 pm
The clock is ticking. Whatever it takes. Get it done.
Secure Coen 2025
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:11 pm
Do not let Liam Coen go. I want him to be the Bucs head coach. I like Coach Bowles as a person and appreciate what he did in the 2020 year, but it is clear his defense is falling behind and he is not good at time management and game day decisions.
Coach Coen has a special talent and is clearly an offensive genius. Do not let him walk out the door.
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:17 pm
So help me God should they let Coen walk out that door in favor of keeping Coach 500. That will be a mistake they will have to live with many years to come.
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Agree with Wilder32
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:04 pm
The Bucs need to make Coen the HC THIS YEAR, otherwise he’ll be gone, IMHO.
_______________________________
They tried that with Lovie and Dirk but it didn’t work out too good
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:23 pm
ATLBuc Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:04 pm
The Bucs need to make Coen the HC THIS YEAR, otherwise he’ll be gone, IMHO.
_______________________________
They tried that with Lovie and Dirk but it didn’t work out too good
^^^^^^^^
You’d rather have a subpar HC/DC who will have his 4th Offensive Coordinator in 4 years? How you think that’s gonna work, if Coen leaves?
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:26 pm
Music to my ears. “Mr. Coen, here’s a blank check, and a handshake offer that YOU will be our next HC when Todd’s time is up.” – The Glazers… In my perfect world.
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:34 pm
I’m not going to say that 50 years of my fandom will go out the door should he be allowed to leave. But I will be seriously be reapprasing my support, If he does. In case you can’t tell, I am livid, right now. And nothing has even happened -outside of Joe chumming the waters. 🙂
Secure Coen 2025
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:35 pm
I sure hope LC stays with the Bucs for a very long time!! He has made this team exciting again!! LFG!! MUST WIN ON SUNDAY!! I already bought tickets for the Wildcard game!!
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:41 pm
Didn’t know what to think when Dave left last year and Coen came aboard. Same with Leftwich, it’s been better than I expected. If Coen was the next head coach at Tampa who would he hire as DC? If that person is out there now during the off season would they bring him on with both Todd and Coen? Would like to see Coen’s offense again next year and some defensive upgrades. Good read things are about to get shuffled up around the league.
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:45 pm
Make any promise to him. But don’t let him leave Tampa.
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:46 pm
sadly, we’ll have a new OC again next season
people don’t pass up offers to be a HC
his market value will never be higher than now unless we have an utter disaster final game of the season (and even then he’ll still be a top HC candidate)
TB OC is an amazing stepping stone job so let’s get the next amazing OC candidate out there in waiting
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:50 pm
Is it the coach or the Talent?
Could it just be as simple as Baker maturing into a leader?
He has been successful under both OC’s so far.
Is having Mike Evans on the field that much of a difference maker? (our record suggests YES)
Let’s really examine this before we back up the money truck.
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:23 pm
ATLBuc Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:04 pm
The Bucs need to make Coen the HC THIS YEAR, otherwise he’ll be gone, IMHO.
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What about HC in waiting?
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:02 pm
Joe site is great if I could read an article. Did you sell every inch of your site. I wanna go back to the old joebucsfan website
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:02 pm
Lions OC Ben Johnson has been the hot name for 3 years now. He is waiting for a team that is in good position to succeed while honing his craft with Jared Goff.
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:04 pm
Baker has had about 8 maybe 10 OC’s for the 7 years he has been in the league. For once I would like to see him perform with continuity from a OC. I think a chance of playing in multiple championship games could be in the offing if it ever happens.
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:13 pm
TLBuc Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:23 pm
ATLBuc Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:20 pm
Joe in Michigan Says:
January 2nd, 2025 at 3:04 pm
The Bucs need to make Coen the HC THIS YEAR, otherwise he’ll be gone, IMHO.
———————————————————
What about HC in waiting?
^^^^^^^^^
If you’re perfectly fine with a sh!tty HC and subpar DC, you’re probably a Falcons fan.
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Isn’t Bruce Arian’s contract up ? Why not pay Coen the difference? It’s not like the Glazers are missing it
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Ditto!
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:28 pm
One thing is for certain. Joe is happily ensconced inside JBF world headquarters laughing his rear-end off right now. Which started about 5 minutes before he posted this story.
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:30 pm
Unfortunately Beej, I think you only get those compensatory picks if a “minority” coach leaves for greener pastures. Coen as a straight white male will get us nothing. Everything worked out for the Bucs but that’s main reason I was miffed about Canales bolting. One more year of him and we were getting that 3rd rounder.
January 2nd, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Bowles has said Tampa is his last coaching stop. He’s 62 and will retire at some point. I can see two scenarios. Bowles retires and ala Bucco Bruce names Coen the HC. Two, the Glasers give Coen a bump now and write it in his contract that he becomes next HC when Bowles is done. Like New England did with Jarod Mayo.
January 2nd, 2025 at 5:46 pm
Todd Bowles is very well liked by his players and respected around the league. Team chemistry is great right now and TB has a lot to do with it. No matter what happens in the next few weeks Bowles will have a job with the bucs if he wants it.
January 2nd, 2025 at 6:07 pm
Baker Baker the head coach maker. If the job opens up it should attract some talented play callers looking to eventually take the next step.
January 2nd, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Bowles is a great DC but not such a great HC. You risk the same with Coen. I personally think he’d be fine but it does take the focus off of just the offense. He wants to be a HC so we’ll see how it plays out but I’d personally like to see him get paid to remain OC and then beef up the defense next year. When Bowles has the right pieces he can shut down the best. Don’t forget the Super Bowl performance. I’d like to see them both for one more year and make a move for the Super Bowl.
January 2nd, 2025 at 8:59 pm
Come on Glazers, this team in the last five years is a whole new breed. Tom Brady taught them something about how to win. They have continued getting really awesome players to come in and doing what it takes to keep winning. Thank you Tom and all of the coaches and JL for all of this!!! A winning culture. Go Bucs!!!!
January 2nd, 2025 at 11:05 pm
Why would he want to be the coach in waiting. Anybody could match what the glazers are willing to pay if they want Coen bad enough. The question to would be is a defensive coordinator with a garage defense worth keeping over a guy who’s given Tampa the best offense they’ve ever seen. You can grab a fan of the street that plays madden to do what Bowles does
January 3rd, 2025 at 11:01 am
Yep. Must be a “minority” (2-years), in order to get the Comp. Pick.
January 3rd, 2025 at 11:38 am
27-26
The sterling HC record of the scarcrow is all that stands in the way of Coen taking over.
Just pay him what it takes to stay until this fiasco is complete.
Could anyone imagine the disaster this season would be without Coen?
It’s the difference between earning a position versus being handed a position due to certain boxes being checked.
January 3rd, 2025 at 12:03 pm
Anybody who thinks Coen is going to stick around as an OC after this year is being naive, IMHO. It’s either he’s the Bucs Head Coach, or he’s the HC somewhere else.