NFL coaching swap: Liam Cohen moves to Jacksonville Jaguars, Robert Saleh returns to 49ers

Liam Coen is reportedly set to become the Jacksonville Jaguars' next head coach, following a swift series of events that saw the 39-year-old offensive coordinator leave the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

It was reported Thursday that Coen informed the Buccaneers of his decision to depart, despite agreeing to a lucrative contract that would have made him the highest-paid coordinator in the NFL. The Jaguars are expected to announce the hiring on Friday morning, according to NFL.com.

Coen’s move to Jacksonville follows a turbulent few days after the Jaguars fired head coach Doug Pederson on January 6. Pederson’s three-season tenure in Jacksonville ended with a 4-13 record in 2024, with the team only reaching the playoffs once in 2022.

Despite his brief stint, Coen’s coaching expertise quickly gained attention after he led the Buccaneers’ offence to an impressive 29.5 points per game in 2024, ranking fourth in the NFL. Under his guidance, quarterback Baker Mayfield posted career highs in touchdowns, passing yards, and completion percentage.

The decision to hire Coen follows a period of uncertainty surrounding Jacksonville’s coaching search. Just hours before the firing of general manager Trent Baalke, Coen had removed himself from consideration for the Jaguars' head coach position.

Coen had previously expressed hesitations over the front-office structure, including the potential challenge of working with Baalke, but ultimately, the situation was resolved, paving the way for Coen’s arrival.

Coen’s diverse coaching career includes stints with both the NFL and college football. Before his time with Tampa Bay, Coen served as offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky, as well as the Los Angeles Rams, where he worked under head coach Sean McVay.

His track record of high-powered offenses and leadership skills made him an attractive option for Jacksonville as the franchise seeks to turn a new page.

In other NFL coaching news, Robert Saleh, former New York Jets head coach, is set to return to the San Francisco 49ers as defensive coordinator.

Saleh, who previously led the 49ers' defense from 2017-2020, will aim to improve a unit that ranked eighth in total defense but struggled with scoring. The 49ers are coming off a disappointing 6-11 season, following a Super Bowl appearance the previous year.

Both Coen’s and Saleh’s coaching changes highlight a new era of leadership for teams hoping to make a swift return to championship contention. For the Jaguars, the hiring of Coen signals a fresh start after a tumultuous season, while Saleh’s return to the 49ers aims to restore their defensive strength and playoff hopes.