![Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has a laugh while answering questions during a press conference after the seventh organized team activity at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Monday, June 2, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_0,w_3456,h_1944/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01jyex6qc6b5q23c5fgy.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen has a laugh while answering questions during a press conference after the seventh organized team activity at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Monday, June 2, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
After failing to make the playoffs in two consecutive years, the Jacksonville Jaguars decided that it was time to kick head coach Doug Pederson to the curb. After an exhaustive search, they hired Liam Coen to replace him.
So far, Coen has gotten rave reviews from his players, and defensive tackle Arik Armstead recently talked about what makes him different from other head coaches.
Armstead made an appearance on First Thing First to promote his Youth Football Camp and took advantage of the opportunity to discuss several topics. The subject of Coen's approach came up, and the veteran defensive tackle talked about what stands out about his new head coach.
"Yeah, I think everyone has their own, you know, little spin on things. I would say, for me, it's the openness to communication, the openness to listen to your players," Armsted responded when asked if Coen had a specific way to run things (3:53 mark). "I've been there asking questions. Yes, it's very open. It's like, what do you guys think? How can we make things better? More conversations, we're texting."
Armstead continued, "I went to dinner with, me and Josh Hines-Allen had dinner with Liam about a week after he got hired. I never went to dinner with any of my head coaches, even though I've had some great relationships with head coaches. I never went to dinner, especially a week after being hired. So it's very open. Like I said, they want to do things right. And, we all have a lot to learn and grow, but I'm very excited for the trajectory that we're headed."
A first-round pick in 2015, Armstead played nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers before joining the Jags last year. However, the prior coaching staff made the puzzling decision to have him play on the edge despite the fact that he's at his best when he lines up inside.
The good news is that Armstead will switch back to defensive tackle, and more than a year removed from a meniscus injury, he should be back at the top of his game in 2025.
Arik Armstead isn't the only Jaguars player who's sold on Liam Coen
You will be hard-pressed to find a Jaguars player who has bad things to say about Liam Coen. Just recently, quarterback John Wolford praised his demeanor on game day, pointing out that the head coach has no trouble getting into rhythm. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun is also thrilled about his energy and his straightforward approach.
Now, Coen has yet to win an NFL game as a head coach, and if he starts losing, confidence in him will wane. That said, he has the team trending in the right direction, and based on how things unfolded in the offseason program, it looks like he will have the Jaguars ready to roll in the season opener.
Heck, don't be surprised if Liam Coen helps the Jags exceed expectations and hit their stride right off the bat.