Liam Coen had a very fruitful first season as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head coach in the 2025 season, helping them to a 13-4 record and the AFC South title. However, he was one-and-done in the playoffs, losing 27-24 against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
And his tribulations did not end there. During his post-game press conference, Lynn Jones, a reporter for the Jacksonville Free Press, uncharacteristically praised him:
“Congratulations on your success, young man. You hold your head up, alright? You guys have had a most magnificent season. You did a great job out there today. … Ladies and gentlemen, Duval, you the one. Keep it going, we got another season, okay? Take care, and much continued success to you and the entire team.”
Coen responded:
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“Appreciate it. Thank you, ma’am.”
And it drew widespread condemnation from various members of the sporting press. In particular, ClutchPoints’ Erik Slater had one succinct word for it:
“This wasn’t actually a reporter, right? Wildly unprofessional exchange, if so.”
This wasn’t actually a reporter, right? Wildly unprofessional exchange, if so.
The Buffalo News’ Mike Harrington wondered how Jones even got credentialed:
“Awesome? Are you serious. That’s not a reporter. That person shouldn’t even have a credential.”
Awesome? Are you serious. That’s not a reporter. That person shouldn’t even have a credential. Schefter once was a real reporter. If he thinks this is cool, he’s totally lost his way.
And so did The Athletic’s Jemele Hill:
“That can’t be a reporter. Cause if so, I would not have used the term awesome.”
That can’t be a reporter. Cause if so, I would not have used the term awesome.
Speaking of The Athletic, Jay King mentally retched at the sight of it:
“Actually, it’s pathetic.”
Actually, it’s pathetic.
Cleveland.com’s Josh Newman expressed a similar sentiment:
“It’s an embarrassment.”
I’ve seen a lot of praise for this interaction. No, it’s an embarrassment.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press’ John Waurow offered this caution:
“Either be a reporter. Or be a fan. You can’t do both.”
Either be a reporter. Or be a fan. You can’t do both.
Trevor Lawrence reveals what Liam Coen told Jaguars after Wild Card loss to Bills
Speaking of messages, Liam Coen himself had one to the Jaguars after their loss to the Bills, as relayed by his quarterback Trevor Lawrence:
“He talked about how proud he was to coach this group. How much fun it was and rewarding it was to coach us. We feel the same way as players. We’re all in this together, and not just the camaraderie between the players, but also between the players and staff.”
He continued:
“We appreciate him. He’s a hell of a coach. I can’t think of one better.”
Lawrence completed 18 of 30 passes for 207 yards and three touchdowns against two interceptions. One of those picks confirmed the aforementioned loss with under a minute left.
