Liam Coen: From College Quarterback to NFL Head Coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Liam Coen's journey through the world of football is a testament to his dedication and expertise in offensive strategy. From a standout college career to coaching roles in both college and the NFL, Coen has steadily risen through the ranks, culminating in his current position as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Early Life and College Career
Born on November 8, 1985, in Warwick, Rhode Island, Liam Patrick Coen quickly established himself as a football talent. He was named Rhode Island's Gatorade Player of the Year while playing quarterback at La Salle Academy in Providence, under his father, Tim.
Coen continued his football career at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), where he played quarterback for four years (2005-2008). During his time with the Minutemen, Coen achieved considerable success, leading the team to conference championships in 2006 and 2007 and guiding them to a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) national runner-up finish in 2006. He was honored with the Harry Agganis/Harold Zimman Award as the Outstanding Senior in New England Football. Coen still holds two of the five best single-season passing performances in UMass history and threw for 30 touchdowns in 2007 - second-most ever. While playing for the Minutemen, Coen was roommates with future New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz.
Early Coaching Career
After his playing days, Coen transitioned into coaching. He began his coaching career in the college ranks, gaining experience at various institutions:
- 2010: Brown University (Quarterbacks Coach) - During the 2010 season at Brown, Coen’s assistance on offense helped lead the Bears to the Ivy League’s top passing game, averaging 244.3 yards. His quarterback, Kyle Newhall-Caballero, eventually signed with the Oakland Raiders.
- 2011: University of Rhode Island (Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach)
- 2012-2013: Brown University (Quarterbacks Coach)
- 2014-2015: UMass (Passing Game Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach) - Coen moved on to his alma mater UMass in 2014 as their pass game coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
- 2016-2017: University of Maine (Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach) - Under Coen in 2017, the Black Bears had the fourth-best scoring offense in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA), which was spearheaded by RB Josh Mack who led the FCS in rush yards per game. Mack rushed for 1,335 yards and nine touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per carry and 133.5 rushing yards per game during the 2017 campaign.
NFL Coaching Roles
Coen's success in the college ranks eventually led to opportunities in the NFL. He joined the Los Angeles Rams, where he held several positions:
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- 2018-2019: Los Angeles Rams (Assistant Wide Receivers Coach) - In 2019, Coen helped L.A.’s receiving unit produce two receivers with over 1,000 receiving yards for the second-consecutive season, a feat that had not been accomplished since a streak of four seasons from 1999-2002. WR Robert Woods posted his second-consecutive 1,000-yard season, finishing with 1,134. With the help of Coen, who coached in the Super Bowl his first year in the league, the Rams quickly acclimated 2018 offseason acquisition Brandin Cooks into the league’s No. 3 scoring offense.
- 2020: Los Angeles Rams (Assistant Quarterbacks Coach)
- 2022: Los Angeles Rams (Offensive Coordinator)
He also served as the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2024 season.
Return to College: Kentucky
Before his stint with the Buccaneers, Coen returned to the college ranks as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Kentucky in two separate seasons (2021 and 2023). Under Coen in 2021, the Wildcats ranked fifth in scoring offense (32.3 points per game) and eighth in total offense (425.2 yards per game) in the Southeastern Conference, including fifth in rushing offense at 199.5 yards per game. With Coen’s guidance, quarterback Will Levis finished sixth in the SEC in passing yards with 2,826, while running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. Kentucky posted a 10-3 record, including a 5-3 mark in the SEC.
Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach
In 2025, Liam Coen achieved a significant milestone in his career when he was named the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jacksonville Jaguars had won a dozen games just twice in franchise history entering this season, most recently in 2005. In year one under Liam Coen in 2025, they did that again. Jacksonville enters the postseason on an eight-game winning streak - including double-digit wins over playoff teams Denver (34-20 in Week 16) and the Los Angeles Chargers (35-6 in Week 11). Former No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence is having one of his best years as a pro and the running game balances things out to make up the sixth-best offense in the NFL from the regular season. The defense has turned things around immensely after finishing 27th in the NFL in points allowed. That unit finished the year as the best run defense in the NFL and second in turnovers. Jacksonville looks like a threat in the AFC for the first time since 2017.
Coaching Philosophy and Impact
Coen specializes in offense and is known for calling the plays on that side of the ball. His coaching philosophy emphasizes a balanced attack, utilizing both the passing and running game to keep defenses off balance. He has a track record of developing quarterbacks and maximizing the potential of his offensive players.
Personal Life
Liam Coen is married to Ashley, and they have children.
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