Liam Coen, now the head coach for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has opened up about one of the biggest regrets of his coaching career, and it all boils down to a pivotal decision he made at the end of the 2022 NFL season. He explicitly stated his biggest regret was leaving the Los Angeles Rams and Sean McVay, a move that still clearly weighs on him.
The Grind of 2022 and the Call to Kentucky
That 2022 season was an absolute grinder for the Rams, finishing with a tough 5-12 win/loss record. Can you imagine the pressure? It was McVay’s only losing season with the team to that point, and Coen called it perhaps the most challenging year of his entire coaching career, at any level. McVay himself wasn’t even sure about his future with the team after that rough patch. It was in this incredibly difficult environment that Coen had to make a choice. As he looks back now, he sees his decision to leave L.A. for Kentucky, taking on the offensive coordinator role there, as the “easier” path. He admits it felt like chasing money a bit, and also an “ego decision” because he wasn’t calling plays or truly leading in Los Angeles.
Missing the Turnaround and the Hard-Earned Lessons
Here’s where it really stings: Coen thinks he would’ve learned so much more had he just stuck it out with McVay and the Rams. He walked away when things were at their toughest. What happened next? The Rams didn’t just stumble; they absolutely bounced back in 2023 with a 10-7 campaign, making it to the playoffs before a tough loss against the Detroit Lions. Coen missed that entire dramatic turnaround, all those lessons that come from navigating past a truly down season with an organization and a friend. He specifically mentioned being offered the OC spot after Kevin O’Connell left for the Vikings job, saying he felt like he “can’t pass that up,” referring to Kentucky. He regrets not sticking something out with an organization that gave him his first opportunity.
Coen’s career has definitely worked out, no doubt about it. After Kentucky in 2023, he took on a position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, and then landed the head coach gig with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2025. He even found success in his first year as HC, leading them to a playoff spot! But even with all that success, he reflected on leaving the Rams, saying, “it did work out in the end, but it was my biggest regret of moves in my career.” It just goes to show you, sometimes the toughest choices, the ones where you stick with a friend and an organization when things are at their absolute worst, are the ones that teach you the most, even if another path seems easier or more prestigious in the moment. It makes you wonder what deeper learning experiences are still out there for him with his Jags.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Turf Show Times.
Leave a Reply