Does Todd Bowles Need An Active Mentor?
July 22nd, 2026
Interesting stuff from Jaguars head coach Liam “El Serpiente” Coen today.
Bucs fans know Coen as their 2024 Tampa Bay offensive coordinator who did a hell of a job — before bolting Tampa after saying he wouldn’t. New Bucs offensive coordinato Zac Robinson may be Coen’s best friend.
Coen had huge success in his first season as Jaguars head coach last year and talked about that with Peter Schrager of ESPN. He noted how he’s tight with Jon Gordon, the renowed motivational speaker.
Gordon has consulted with Coen many times, Coen said, and much of the crafting of Jaguars culture has been assisted by Gordon. He’s also addressed the Jacksonville team.
That got Joe wondering who Todd Bowles has as an active mentor.
It seems Bucco Bruce Arians is mostly disconnected from the Bucs now. He worked last season in media (The Pat McAfee Show), wasn’t at One Buc Palace and no longer hints that he does much of anything in his role as senior advisor to general manager Jason Licht.
Bowles talks weekly in-season to Hall of Fame head coach Bill Parcells, but it’s unclear how detailed those chats are — and what kind of fastball Parcells has left at 84 years old.
Last year, Bowles said of advisor Tom Moore, “He’s such a valuable piece, we can’t do too much without him.” Moore was 87 last season and left the Bucs for a three-game stretch during the season (all losses) when his wife was ill. Moore left Tampa Bay altogether after the season. So he’s out of the picture.
Does a head coach need a go-to mentor/sounding board? Many good coaches have them.
Arians brought in Moore for just that reason. Bowles seems to be on his own with a lot of new coaches around him.
Of course, Joe realizes its possible Bowles has multiple mentors that haven’t been revealed.
July 22nd, 2026 at 3:44 pm
chat AI is my suggestion-AI can freaking game plan!!!!!!!!!!!
July 22nd, 2026 at 3:58 pm
After Arians was kicked off the sideline he basically said you guys are on your own. As far as Bowles goes why wouldn’t he bring in a young defensive coordinator to challenge him on a daily basis? In real life you surround yourself with people that make the team better.
July 22nd, 2026 at 4:06 pm
Does 63 year old Todd need a mentor? No, he’s supposed to be a mentor. But that’s clearly not the case as none of his defensive coaching tree has had any success.
All these conversations about Todd needing a mentor, an in game specialist, a time clock manager, a DC…it’s crystal clear he’s simply not the guy.
We need to move and find a leader that doesn’t need a team to lead a team.
July 22nd, 2026 at 4:07 pm
I sure miss Monte Kiffin! That man, as defensive coordinator, didn’t need no stinking mentor. He on his own was a trailblazer in the NFL.
Joe, regarding Toad Bowels, it’s obvious that he has an unrevealed mentor. It has got to be Joel Olsteen. Because every defensive game plan is built on a foundation of Hope & Prayer!
July 22nd, 2026 at 4:21 pm
I’m sure Bowles just rolls out his Magic 8 Ball for advice.
… Concentrate and ask again …
… Reply hazy, try again …
… Most likely …
… Outlook not so good …
July 22nd, 2026 at 4:45 pm
Jenny Craig?