Jaguars Reporter Talks Liam Coen Viral Video After Playoff Loss, Defends Exchange amid Criticism

Liam Coen's first playoff game as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars ended in a 27-24 loss to the Buffalo Bills, but at least one reporter was not in a critical mood in the aftermath.

Lynn Jones of the Jacksonville Free Press drew plenty of attention when she used her time during Coen's postgame press conference to praise his efforts this season and offer support instead of asking an actual question.

"I just want to tell you, congratulations on your success, young man," Jones said to Coen. "You hold your head up, alright? You guys have had a most magnificent season. You did a great job out there today. You just hold your head up, okay? Ladies and gentlemen, Duval, you the one. Keep it going, we got another season, okay? Take care, and much continued success to you and the entire team."

While Coen thanked her, the exchange led to plenty of criticism:

Denny Alfonso of The Athletic spoke to Jones about the reaction to her interaction with the coach, and she defended her decision.

"There are no protocols for a press conference," she said. "We do not receive any type of information saying, 'Hey, you can't say this, you can't say that.' Because I noticed that's what the controversy is right now."

She also said, "It just was compassion; let this man know this is going to be okay. We take this sport so seriously. … Why do I need to ask a question of what happened on the field? Party's over, the season is over."

Plenty of journalists, including some who were in the room with Jones, would surely argue that their job actually was to ask about what happened on the field, especially during a postgame press conference after a playoff game.

That is why it generated so much criticism, but she dismissed that.

"No, I'm not getting ready to get into no rules and regulations and what you can and cannot say and cannot do," Jones said. "We have enough of this going on already. We're in communications, we're in a field. … There's nothing wrong with expressing how you feel and being emotionally invested."

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It was clear she and many in Jacksonville were emotionally invested in Sunday's outcome.

Unfortunately for the Jaguars supporters, the team came up short against Josh Allen and Co. The Buffalo quarterback scored what proved to be the game-winning touchdown with just more than a minute remaining.

It ended the Jaguars' otherwise impressive season that saw them win the AFC North with a 13-4 record.