Tampa, Florida – In a surprising turn of events, Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen has decided to leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. This unexpected move comes just a day after Coen had withdrawn his name from consideration for the Jaguars coaching job, choosing instead to remain in Tampa Bay as one of the NFL’s highest-paid coordinators. Coen’s decision to secretly fly to Jacksonville and accept the head coaching position has left the Bucs scrambling to find their third offensive coordinator in as many seasons. This departure echoes a pattern of prominent figures leaving the franchise in the lurch, dating back to the ’80s.
One of the most notable instances of this phenomenon occurred in 1986 when Auburn tailback Bo Jackson, the 1985 Heisman Trophy winner, refused to sign with the Bucs after they drafted him as the first overall pick. Jackson opted to pursue a career in baseball instead, signing with the Kansas City Royals. This move left the Bucs reeling and searching for answers. Another high-profile snub came in 1991 when former Giants coach Bill Parcells backed out of a lucrative offer to become the Bucs’ head coach, leaving team owner Hugh Culverhouse feeling “jilted at the altar.”
A decade later, in 2002, the Bucs once again courted Parcells, only to be rejected in favor of retirement. Similarly, in 2012, Oregon coach Chip Kelly turned down an offer to coach the Bucs, opting to stay at the University of Oregon to complete unfinished business. These instances of high-profile figures spurning the Bucs have become a recurring theme, leaving the franchise in a state of uncertainty and disappointment.
Over the years, other notable figures, such as Bill Walsh, Steve Spurrier, and Brett Favre, have also considered but ultimately rejected opportunities to be part of the Bucs organization. These missed connections have left the Bucs struggling to establish stable leadership and direction. The departure of Liam Coen to the Jaguars is just the latest chapter in a long history of dashed hopes and unfulfilled promises for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.