![Carolina Panthers head coach Liam Coen talks to the referee and a line judge during the third quarter of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium Sunday September 7, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_5686,h_3198/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01k4qnykaf76tnt66jr9.jpg "Carolina Panthers head coach Liam Coen talks to the referee and a line judge during the third quarter of an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers at Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium Sunday September 7, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
Late in 2024, it was abundantly clear that the Jacksonville Jaguars were going to oust Doug Pederson. And for a brief moment, they seemed to be the most logical landing spot for then-hot offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.
However, Johnson ended up going to the Chicago Bears. The Jags continued their coaching search and ultimately zeroed in on Liam Coen. After days of shocking twists and turns, they hired him. So far, that's proven to be the right call.
Ben Johnson, Bll Belichick, and Aaron Glenn lost in their debuts
Call it hyperbole, but the Jaguars got the right guy to steer the ship in the right direction. Sure, it's only one Week 1, but Liam Coen already got his first win, something Ben Johnson or any rookie head coach can't claim.
Johnson, along with Kellen Moore (New Orleans Saints), Aaron Glenn (New York Jets), and Brian Schottenheimer (Dallas Cowboys), lost their debut as NFL head coaches. But wait! There's more.
Bill Belichick got pummeled in his debut at North Carolina, losing 48-14 to TCU. Sure, the Tar Heels bounced back against Charlotte, but the Super Bowl-winning head coach was supposed to dominate at the collegiate level, not struggle against unranked programs.
And in case you were wondering why Belichick's debut at UNC was brought up, that's because he was routinely linked to the Jags late in 2024. Although they didn't show a strong interest in the Hoodie, pursuing him wasn't completely ruled out. Heck, Belichick might have been a reasonable alternative if Coen had stayed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Circling back to the NFL, Ben Johnson and the Bears took things on the wire. But you don't get points for style. Whether you lose by one or 20 points, a loss counts the same, and both of them lost in their debut with their respective teams.
Related: Biggest winners and losers from the Jags trade of Tank Bigsby
Why the Jaguars got the right head coach in Liam Coen
Meanwhile, Liam Coen took care of business, trouncing the Carolina Panthers 26-10 in the season opener. Along the way, he proved to be everything the Jaguars bargained for and then some. Sure, Trevor Lawrence wasn't particularly great, and his connection with Brian Thomas Jr. wasn't sharp.
However, Coen got the running game going, totaling 200 rushing yards and one touchdown. On the other hand, the defense registered three turnovers. All things considered, a well-rounded team outing.
There are still plenty of games left in the regular season, but based on how things played out in the opener, it's fair to say that the Jaguars are in great hands. And if Trevor Lawrence manages to put it all together, they can most definitely shake the AFC upside down.