Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen met with the Jaguars in Jacksonville, Florida, on Thursday, and talks are tracking for him to be named their next head coach, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Although no deal was done as of Thursday night, negotiations are ongoing, both sides want to make it happen and the belief around the league is that they will get there, sources said.
The development came one day after Coen, 39, had pulled himself out of the running for the Jaguars' job and instead agreed to stay in Tampa on a deal that would have made him the NFL's highest-paid coordinator, sources previously told Schefter. Hours later, the Jaguars and general manager Trent Baalke parted ways.
The Buccaneers have had no contact Thursday with Coen or his representation, sources told Schefter. The team has made multiple efforts to reach him. Coen, however, did reach out to Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles on Thursday evening to inform him that he was interviewing with Jacksonville, sources told ESPN's Jenna Laine.
A source, meanwhile, told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that given the latest turn in Jacksonville's head coaching hunt, Coen figured he owed it to himself to speak with the team about the job.
Jaguars owner Shad Khan retained Baalke when he fired coach Doug Pederson on Jan. 6, saying that afternoon in a news conference that a complete organizational overhaul would be "suicide." He also said that if any coaching candidate expressed reservations about the organizational structure or working with Baalke, he would be willing to address the topic.
The Buccaneers had the third-ranked total offense in the NFL and finished fourth in points scored this season in Coen's first year as the team's offensive coordinator.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield enjoyed his best career season under Coen, with career highs in passing yards (4,500), touchdown passes (41) and completion percentage (71.4).
The Jaguars are seeking a new head coach after firing Pederson following a 4-13 season.
ESPN's Michael DiRocco contributed to this report.