Winning 13 games in the NFL is supposed to buy you a little peace. In Jacksonville, it usually buys you a statue. But standing at the podium during the latest Liam Coen press conference Jaguars fans and media attended this Wednesday, the vibe wasn't exactly celebratory. Coen looked like a man who had spent the last 72 hours staring at a flickering game film of a three-point loss.
He’s not interested in the "happy to be here" narrative. Honestly, he shouldn't be.
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The Jaguars just wrapped up a 13-4 season, an AFC South title, and a complete cultural 180-degree turn. Yet, the 27-24 Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills hangs over the Miller Electric Center like a humid Florida afternoon. Coen, alongside General Manager James Gladstone, made it clear: the floor has been raised, but the ceiling is still miles away.
The "Same, Same, Same" Trap
Coen dropped a line during the session that basically sums up his entire coaching philosophy. He told reporters, "We’re not going to just stand here and say, man, we’re just going to re-do it all with all the same, same, same, same because that got us 13 wins and knocked out of the playoffs in the first round."
It’s a blunt reality check.
Most coaches coming off a 13-win debut would be taking a victory lap. Not this guy. Coen is hyper-aware of the Jaguars' history—the "one-hit wonder" seasons of the past where a flash of success was followed by a decade of basement-dwelling. He’s obsessed with the idea of "reloading" rather than just "repeating."
The "1-0 message" he preached all year? It’s still the heartbeat of the building. But now, that message has to survive the "bittersweet" nature of success.
Staff Brain Drain and the Price of Winning
Here is the thing about winning in the NFL: everyone wants to steal your secrets.
Coen is already dealing with the fallout of a successful season. Assistant offensive line coach Keli’i Kekuewa is heading to Stanford. Secondary coach Ron Milus is out. More importantly, offensive coordinator Grant Udinski is a hot name for the Cleveland Browns’ opening.
"It’s the bittersweetness of our profession," Coen admitted. You want your guys to get promoted, but you also don't want to lose the brain trust that just fixed Trevor Lawrence.
Speaking of Lawrence, the growth is real. Coen spent a good chunk of the year rebuilding the quarterback’s confidence, shifting the focus to footwork and mental processing while Lawrence was recovering from shoulder surgery. The results? A top-six scoring offense. But as Coen noted, you don't "master" this system in twelve months.
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The Viral Moment: Empathy vs. Objectivity
We have to talk about the elephant in the room from the post-game session. Lynn Jones-Turpin, a long-time local journalist, didn't ask a question. She gave a pep talk. She told Coen to "hold his head up" and called the season "magnificent."
The internet, predictably, lost its mind.
- The Critics: National media members called it "unprofessional" and "cheerleading."
- The Defenders: Local fans and even Scott Van Pelt pointed out that "there’s enough mean in the world."
Coen handled it with a simple "Thank you, ma'am," but the exchange highlighted the unique relationship he has already built with Jacksonville. He isn't the cold, distant strategist Urban Meyer was, nor the "nice guy" who gets rolled over. He’s a guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, and clearly, the local community felt that.
What Happens This Offseason?
The "real work" Coen mentioned involves some heavy lifting regarding the roster. James Gladstone mentioned "raising the floor" of the talent pool, but there are massive questions looming:
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- Free Agency: Travis Etienne Jr., Andrew Wingard, and Greg Newsome II are all hitting the market on March 11.
- The Two-Way Star: Travis Hunter is expected to continue playing both sides of the ball in 2026, a move that requires a specific kind of conditioning and schematic flexibility.
- Coaching Continuity: If Udinski leaves, Coen has to decide if he takes back play-calling duties or finds another protege to run the system.
Coen and Gladstone are "bringing thoughts to the surface" right now. They aren't rushing into decisions. They’re taking until mid-February to really digest the 2025 tape before mapping out the 2026 strategy.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Outlook
If you're following the Jaguars' trajectory, keep your eyes on the "next-play mentality" transition. Success changes people. It makes players comfortable. Coen’s biggest job over the next six months isn't drawing up new plays; it’s making sure a 13-win season doesn't make his locker room soft.
Next Steps for Jaguars Fans:
- Watch the Coaching Carousel: If Grant Udinski lands a head coaching or high-level OC job elsewhere, watch for Coen to target a "Rams-lite" replacement who shares his Sean McVay-inspired DNA.
- Monitor the Trenches: Coen credited the offensive line's "combinations" for their success. With Kekuewa leaving for Stanford, the hiring of a new run-game specialist will tell us a lot about whether they stay aggressive on the ground.
- Track the Free Agents: The retention of Travis Etienne Jr. is the biggest domino. Without him, Coen’s "illusion of complexity" offense loses its most dangerous home-run threat.
The 2025 season was a blast. But if you listen to Liam Coen, it was just a very loud, very successful dress rehearsal. The real show starts when the "new team" gathers in April.