Jaguars Turnaround Stuns NFL in Coen's Rookie Season

Rookie head coach Liam Coen led Jacksonville from 4 wins to division champs in one season, sparking hope for a sustained resurgence.

Feb. 10, 2026 at 11:55am

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The Jacksonville Jaguars went from a 4-13 disaster in 2024 to a 13-4 division champion in 2025, marking one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in NFL history. Under rookie head coach Liam Coen, the Jaguars overcame a slow start, with quarterback Trevor Lawrence finding his stride in the second half of the season. Key contributions from players like Josh Hines-Allen, Brian Thomas Jr., and Travis Etienne II powered the Jaguars' rise to the playoffs, where they fell to the Bills in the Wild Card round.

Why it matters

The Jaguars' turnaround was more than just a one-year fluke, as it signaled a true organizational reset that has restored credibility and excitement around the franchise after years of disappointment. Coen's arrival as head coach set a new tone of accountability and preparation, transforming the Jaguars from a disorganized team to a genuine contender in the AFC.

The details

After starting the season 3-3, the Jaguars caught fire in the second half, with Trevor Lawrence cutting down on turnovers and the defense led by Josh Hines-Allen making game-changing plays. Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. set franchise records, while running back Travis Etienne II powered the ground game. The Jaguars' 13-4 record marked the third-best debut season for a rookie head coach in modern NFL history.

  • The Jaguars started the 2025 season with a 3-3 record, raising doubts about their ability to turn things around.
  • Over the final 8 games of the season, Trevor Lawrence threw 18 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions, igniting the Jaguars' playoff push.
  • In Week 17, Foyesade Oluokun's pick-six sealed the AFC South division title for the Jaguars, sending their fans into a frenzy.

The players

Liam Coen

The Jaguars' rookie head coach, who orchestrated one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds in NFL history, becoming the first rookie head coach to win 12 or more games after taking over a team that had 4 or fewer wins the previous season.

Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars' quarterback, who overcame a midseason slump to throw 18 touchdowns and just 2 interceptions over the final 8 games, igniting the team's playoff push.

Josh Hines-Allen

The Jaguars' defensive standout, who recorded 17 sacks and 4 forced fumbles, including a crucial strip-sack on Lamar Jackson that became the play of the season.

Brian Thomas Jr.

The Jaguars' rookie wide receiver, who set franchise rookie records with 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns, providing a much-needed playmaking boost to the offense.

Travis Etienne II

The Jaguars' running back, who averaged nearly 5 yards per carry and powered the ground game during the team's winning streak, wearing down opposing defenses with his physical, punishing runs.

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What’s next

The Jaguars will look to build on their 2025 success and make a deeper playoff run in 2026, with high expectations for the team and quarterback Trevor Lawrence entering his fourth NFL season.

The takeaway

The Jaguars' dramatic turnaround in 2025 under rookie head coach Liam Coen has restored hope and excitement around the franchise, proving that a well-executed organizational reset can quickly transform a struggling team into a genuine contender. The Jaguars are no longer chasing relevance, but now have their sights set on sustained success and playoff victories.