Prior to the Chicago Bears hiring Ben Johnson, when their candidate list was approaching nearly 20 interviews, many fans questioned why the team never expressed an interest in Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen.
A part of the Sean McVay coaching tree, Coen was intriguing candidate for a team looking for an offensive-minded head coach. Following some drama last week, Coen was introduced as the head coach of the Jaguars ob Monday. In completing his introductory press conference, Coen immediately lost all intrigue and excitement over his prospects as a head coach in the NFL.
Bears fans are used to their head coaches losing their opening press conference. That is why there was a refreshing aftermath for the fanbase last week after Johnson won his press conference. Winning the introductory press conference often doesn't mean anything, but for a fanbase that has had to endure their team becoming a laughing stock over the last calendar year, they can finally laugh at a situation that is being mocked across NFL circles and does not involve the Bears.
When Bears fans hear acronyms: https://t.co/9AArQfFNrt pic.twitter.com/xOkPgK5ZhI
— Greg Braggs Jr. (@GBraggsJr23) January 28, 2025
Bears fans are warning Jaguars fans after Liam Coen's introductory press conference
Coen dropped his "FAST" acronym while meeting with reporters and it has shades of Matt Eberflus' "HITS" principle. Eberflus' acronym quickly became mocked, and the jokes didn't stop once it became clear that the former head coach had no control over the locker room.
Bruhhh he’s got his own HITS
— Max Markham (@MaxMarkhamNFL) January 27, 2025
and the S is for Situational Masters
I’m dying 💀💀💀
We would have imploded if we hired him. https://t.co/BBqlgHOWNH
In fact, Coen's press conference was so bad that even Awful Announcing covered the cringeworthy moments.
Liam Coen receiving negative aura points today
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 27, 2025
pic.twitter.com/pEjPYpGE6K
When the Bears started their search, this was the outcome they feared the most. The Bears hiring a head coach not named Ben Johnson and being mocked immediately. Coen may turn out to be a great head coach but his approval rating took an immediate hit after his weirdness on Monday. Fortunately for the Bears, Johnson won his press conference and the team remains the talk of the NFL for how their process has signaled an improved direction for the organization.