Buccaneers Deny Jaguars Multiple Staff Interviews Following Liam Coen Drama

In the wake of Liam Coen defecting from Tampa Bay to sign on as the new head coach of the Jaguars, the Buccaneers are denying multiple staff interview requests from Jacksonville.

While it can be debated whether this is in reprisal for Coen's widely criticized back-and-forth between the teams, it is undeniable that this will affect the Jaguars' coaching staff.

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According to NFL Insider Adam Schefter, "No favors: Buccaneers blocked Jacksonville's request to interview its assistant offensive line coach, Brian Picucci, who left Kentucky with Liam Coen to go to Tampa. Jags were able to hire Coen, but not Picucci."

The Bucs have turned down multiple interview requests from the Jacksonville Jaguars, preventing the team from hiring key members of their coaching staff, including offensive line coach Kevin Carberry and assistant offensive line coach Brian Picucci.

This comes after Coen, who previously worked with both coaches, sought to bring them with him to Jacksonville.

Coen and Picucci share a long history, having worked together at the University of Kentucky, while Carberry and Coen were also on the same staff with the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.

While neither Carberry nor Picucci were considered hot commodities entering the offseason, their ties to Coen made them logical choices for his new staff.

Coen had a successful season working with both coaches in Tampa Bay, helping turn around the Buccaneers' run game and contributing to the development of rookie center Graham Barton.

Still, the Bucs have made it clear they're not eager to help their former offensive coordinator, particularly after a turbulent split with Coen.

Coen's departure from Tampa Bay has been anything but smooth. After initially withdrawing his name from consideration for the Jaguars' head coach position, Coen had a change of heart and decided to pursue the opportunity again after Jacksonville fired general manager Trent Baalke.

This reversal came after a 26-hour period where Coen was unreachable, leaving the Bucs frustrated and feeling slighted. As a result, Tampa Bay seems intent on not allowing Coen to strengthen his new staff with coaches who were instrumental in his success with the Buccaneers.

This situation mirrors a previous instance when Dave Canales, who left Tampa Bay to become the head coach of the Panthers, was able to take several of the Bucs' assistants with him, such as offensive line coach Joe Gilbert and run game coordinator Harold Goodwin—though those coaches were free to leave since their contracts had expired.

In contrast, the Bucs are making it clear that Coen won't get the same treatment, blocking his attempts to hire Carberry and Picucci for his new staff in Jacksonville.

This back-and-forth has added an element of drama to what would otherwise be a routine coaching change, with the Buccaneers showing they're unwilling to give Coen any easy transition, especially after the messy nature of his departure from the team.

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