Jaguars GM Trent Baalke is out,
clearing a path for Shad Khan to make another run at Liam Coen
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 [January 23, 2025]
By MARK LONG
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars might not be done
pursuing Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan fired general manager Trent Baalke on
Wednesday, hours after Coen backed out of a scheduled in-person
interview with team executives.
The franchise framed it as the owner and the GM agreeing to
“respectfully separate, effective immediately." But a person
familiar with the decision said Baalke was fired. The person spoke
to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team
and Baalke had hoped to keep details private.
Khan grew frustrated with the process when Coen, a 39-year-old,
up-and-coming play-caller who had an impressive initial interview
with the Jaguars, backed out of the second meeting and agreed to a
new contract with the Buccaneers, the person said.
And since Baalke appeared to be the reason Coen — along with former
Detroit offensive coordinator Ben Johnson — avoided Jacksonville,
Khan chose to go in a different direction. No one should be
surprised to see Khan circle back to Coen, who might reconsider with
Baalke out of the picture.
“Following several discussions with Trent Baalke this week, we both
arrived at the conclusion that it is in our mutual best interests to
respectfully separate, effective immediately,” Khan said in a
statement. “Trent leaves us with my deepest appreciation for his
efforts over the past five seasons."
Ethan Waugh will serve as interim general manager and will “continue
the process of interviewing candidates to serve as our new head
coach,” Khan said.
Waugh worked under Baalke for 12 seasons (2005-16) in San Francisco.
Will candidates be more apt to come to Jacksonville now or will Khan
have to offer some reassurances that he plans to hire another GM in
the near future?
Jacksonville had narrowed its search to Coen, Las Vegas defensive
coordinator Patrick Graham and former New York Jets head coach
Robert Saleh. Graham and Saleh are scheduled for in-person
interviews on Thursday and Friday.
Johnson and Detroit defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn were among 10
candidates who initially interviewed with Jacksonville. But the duo
took other jobs — Johnson with Chicago, Glenn with the New York Jets
— without a sit-down with the Jaguars.
Khan insisted after firing Doug Pederson earlier this month that
Baalke’s retention as GM would not affect the coaching search. He
clearly was wrong.
“I am deeply committed to building a winner here in Jacksonville and
look forward to introducing a new head coach who will make that
happen for our players and fans alike,” Khan said.
The 60-year-old Baalke developed a less-than-spotless reputation
around the league, and three of the five coaches he hired in San
Francisco and Jacksonville — Jim Tomsula, Chip Kelly and Urban Meyer
— had one-and-done tenures.
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Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan, left, and general manager
Trent Baalke watch players during the NFL football team's rookie
minicamp, Saturday, May 14, 2022, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP
Photo/John Raoux, File)
Baalke’s drafts were mixed. He hit on quarterback
Trevor Lawrence, right tackle Anton Harrison and Brian Thomas Jr. in
the first round. But he chose defensive end Travon Walker over Aidan
Hutchinson and whiffed on first-rounder Devin Lloyd as well as
several second-day picks: offensive tackle Walker Little, safety
Andre Cisco, center Luke Fortner and linebacker Chad Muma.
His free-agent classes were equally spotty, with the latest one
being among the least productive in team history.
The Jaguars committed more than $150 million, including roughly $90
million guaranteed, to sign seven free agents. The group included
receiver Gabe Davis, journeyman cornerback Ronald Darby and
oft-injured defensive lineman Arik Armstead. None of them made the
Jags better.
Jaguars fans have long called for Baalke to get the boot. They even
organized a “Klown Out” during the 2021 season finale to protest
Khan’s decision to keep Baalke in place before he hired Pederson.
With Baalke gone, Jacksonville could double back on Buffalo
offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Philadelphia offensive coordinator
Kellen Moore and Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
Under NFL rules, the earliest they can interview again is next week
because their teams are in conference title games.
Nonetheless, the Jaguars (4-13) will move forward. The question now:
how much more attractive is the job without Baalke in the mix?
They have a young quarterback (Lawrence) with upside, a budding star
at receiver (Thomas), a few defensive building blocks (cornerback
Tyson Campbell and pass rushers Walker and Josh Hines-Allen), a
relatively new practice facility, a $1.4 billion stadium renovation
upcoming and a hands-off owner with deep pockets.
They have the fifth overall draft pick in April and roughly $50
million in salary cap space for 2025, play in arguably the NFL’s
weakest division (AFC South) and work in a state with plenty of
sunshine and no income tax. They also went 3-10 in one-score games —
an indication they could be a quick fix.
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