By Hays Carlyon
The Pirate has arrived.
Liam Coen might be inexperienced in the NFL – and that does concern me – but he proved something bigger.
He has the competitive killer instinct the Jacksonville Jaguars have lacked.
The NFL is not a nice guys business. The best are competitive killers.
Liam Coen clearly is not happy to just be at the table, one of 32 coaches in the most cutthroat sport in this country. He wants to win the ultimate prize. ESPN reported Thursday night that the Jaguars will hire Coen as their next head coach with the official announcement expected Friday.
I believe he’s going to be good. Forgetting the impressive offensive numbers he helped guide Tampa Bay to this season as offensive coordinator, he’s got what the Jaguars need.
He’s savvy – and relentless.
Pirate Liam Coen.
I can also tell PLC is going to be good from the pure fury from Tampa Bay fans once his departure began to be reported. The Buccaneers also leaked enough to their media contingent to suggest they were quite livid about it as well.
Think anyone’s felt that way about Press Taylor?
PLC orchestrated the firing of former general manager Trent Baalke, saving the Jaguars from years of more incompetence.
He walks into the Miller Electric Center with a 10-0 record in my opinion. PLC walks in with an edge Doug Pederson never had here.
The power play PLC executed flawlessly also speaks to an instant credibility in the locker room. The veterans here will know the power PLC has immediately. That will get their attention and respect.
And, man, the numbers are impressive from PLC last season with the Buccaneers.
I can see why they liked him. I can see why they’re hurt.
That’s life in the big city, but I get it.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 41 touchdowns.
Baker Mayfield.
Running PLC’s system, Mayfield completed 71.4 percent of his passes.
PLC produced an 1,100-yard rusher in rookie running back Bucky Irving and a 1,000-yard receiver in Mike Evans. He was able to coax an eight-touchdown receiving season from third-round rookie receiver Jalen McMillan.
Now, visualize Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr., Tank Bigsby, Travis Etienne, Christian Kirk and Evan Engram in that system.
PLC led the Buccaneers to 502 points. The Jaguars had 320.
The Jaguars converted 37.3 percent on third down. The Buccaneers were at 50.9 percent.
PLC is young for this league. It’s early for him to be a head coach.
But I believe in the raw power of young, ambitious coaches. Coaches chasing greatness, not resting on past laurels.
PLC has the competitive killer instinct needed to win at the elite level.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan has brought a pirate to town.
He has found the deception he seeks.
Drink up me hearties, Yo Ho.
(You can email Hays at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter/X @HaysCarlyon)