Buccaneers Deny Another Offensive Staff Member From Joining Jaguars

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still reeling from Liam Coen’s sudden departure to become the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coen had been poised to become the highest-paid coordinator in NFL history, but instead, he secretly met with the Jaguars and accepted their offer.

In a move that likely added salt to the wound, Coen attempted to bring his Buccaneers staff with him to Jacksonville. Specifically, he sought to interview Buccaneers offensive line coach Kevin Carberry for the same position with the Jaguars.

However, the Bucs exercised their right to block the move, as the NFL does not consider a lateral position change to be a promotion. This decision prevented Carberry from joining Coen in Jacksonville.

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Undeterred, Liam Coen made another request to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, seeking permission to interview another staff member he had brought to the team. This time, Coen wanted to promote Brian Picucci from assistant offensive line coach to offensive line coach.

Via ESPN’s 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.”

However, the Buccaneers once again denied Coen’s request, refusing to allow Picucci to leave for the Jacksonville Jaguars. This decision marks the second time the Buccaneers have blocked one of Coen’s attempts to poach his former staff members.

Although Brian Picucci’s potential move from assistant offensive line coach to offensive line coach appears to be a promotion, the NFL has a specific definition of what constitutes a promotion. According to the league, a promotion only occurs when a coach advances from an assistant role to a coordinator position.

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In this case, Liam Coen’s plan to make Picucci his offensive line coach does not meet the NFL’s criteria for a promotion. As a result, the Buccaneers have the authority to block the move, and Picucci will remain in Tampa Bay for the time being.

The future of coaches Kevin Carberry and Brian Picucci remains uncertain, as it is unclear whether they will be retained once the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hire a new offensive coordinator. If they are not kept on staff, it could lead to another dramatic development.

For now, the Buccaneers are taking a firm stance with Liam Coen, denying his requests to bring Carberry and Picucci to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Given the circumstances of Coen’s departure, it’s understandable that the Buccaneers are being cautious and not giving him any special favors.