Life in the National Football League is fast-paced and high-stakes. For Liam Coen, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator, and his wife, Ashley, the whirlwind has taken them through numerous cities, career changes and, most recently, parenthood – a season of life that beckons us to slow down because time flies and reminds us that nothing is more consequential than our kids’ well-being.

Parenthood has no off-season. The Coens share insights into the demands of coaching, the support systems they’ve built and the constant juggling act between family life and football.

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Kickoff

Liam and Ashley, who met just before the COVID pandemic, have moved almost annually—including twice in 2020. Football has taken them to Kentucky, Los Angeles and now, to Tampa Bay. “We moved into this house when I was 36 weeks pregnant,” Ashley says of their fifth house in four years. Despite coaching life’s instability, the Coens have found ways to make each city feel like home.

Ashley, born in the Philippines to a military family, understands navigating change. With toddler (Jackson) and infant (Callahan) sons, adaptability has proven fundamental.

Snap

An especially active and destructive 2024 hurricane season made establishing community integral for the new Tampa residents. “Leading into Hurricane Milton, the Glazer family invited all coaches’ families to join the team in New Orleans as we prepared to play the Saints on Oct. 13,” Liam says.

However, with a baby and a toddler, Ashley headed to her dad’s home in Ohio. Despite no power for a week, their Tampa home weathered Hurricanes Helene and Milton. “I learned we need a generator,” Liam jokes.

Ultimately, the Coens feel at home in Tampa Bay. “We found a family-friendly neighborhood where kids ride bikes, and parents form supportive networks,” Ashley says. Considering Liam’s grueling football season schedule with days starting before dawn and ending late at night, these networks are essential for Ashley as well as Liam’s peace of mind about his family’s well-being.

Tackle

Liam’s schedule is relentless. Days typically beginning at 5 a.m. and ending at 10 p.m. “There are no holidays or sick days in football,” Liam says. Whether coaching or poring over game tape, Liam’s role is a dance between physical and mental endurance. Deeply rooted in the game (both his father and grandfather were coaches), he’s driven to persevere. From his dad, a full-time schoolteacher, he learned to balance professional demands and parenthood.

The Coens acknowledge each day is a grind, but they utilize technologies like FaceTime to make the best of sacred, limited time. Ashley further leans on other families with similar-aged children so that both she and the boys have community cornerstones.

Field of Play

For Liam, coaching and parenting go hand-in-hand. “Both of my parents were teachers, and I watched them reach, influence, and affect people from all walks of life. I want my children to witness me doing the same things,” Liam articulates. “In college coaching, you’re almost raising young men. I want our kids to see that environment and learn the values of teamwork and discipline.”

Growing into his father role, Liam sees increasing overlap between his coaching and parenting philosophies. The coach believes strong relational bonds are foundational to thriving with both players and family: “They need to know I’m invested in their lives and that I’m willing to share my past experiences. Challenges are part of life on and off the field, and I need open lines of communication and points of connection beforehand so that my players and my kids persist.”

The couple approaches parenting with structure, prioritizing the kids’ schedules and instilling traditional manners: “Raising good kids who grow into even better adults is the goal,” Liam states.

Line of Scrimmage

Though still too young to participate in community service, the kids are age-appropriately learning about gratitude and generosity. “We’re intentional in helping Jackson understand that going somewhere doesn’t mean getting something,” Ashley says.

For Ashley, the highs and lows of football are deeply personal. A former executive producer at a Los Angeles visual effects studio, she attends games because she’s emotionally invested in her husband’s work. Still too young for gameday, their boys stay home: “Games are my time,” she admitted. “It’s our livelihood, and I want to be fully present for Liam. Win or lose, I try keeping things positive.”

The Coens’ ability to adapt and support each other through the demands of football season – and life’s unpredictability – indicates a formidable partnership. Their 24-hour rule helps them move on quickly after losses. “There are 24 hours to be upset and then it’s time to pick your head up and move on,” Liam explains. The approach is valuable on the field and in the home, as players and kids are always watching and learning.

Touchdown

For his players and his children, Liam is intent on being a helper. “That’s the legacy I aim to leave for both – that they were supported and, consequently, can be better. I want my players and my children to know that I am committed to helping them at their craft and their personal lives.”

Since their dating days, Ashley knew Liam would be a hands-on father: “He was always the adult playing and helping with the kids at parties.” These days, regardless of how little he’s slept, Liam changes diapers, helps with feedings and does all of the things all parents are tasked with doing.

Family remains central to the couple’s post-season plans, with hometown visits slated for summer. They’re also anticipating recharging in Italy for a belated honeymoon.

Regardless of the life season they are in, the Coens ensure that they are authoring a great playbook.

Overtime

• Favorite app: The Holy Bible
• Favorite appetizer: Lumpia (Filipino eggrolls)

Originally published in the January 2025 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine.