The San Francisco 49ers took their first loss of the season to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4. After the game, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen and 49ers DC Robert Saleh got into a spat and had to be separated.
Kyle Shanahan was asked about the altercation in his postgame media duties. Shanahan called out Coen for his role in the altercation, coming to the defense of his defensive coordinator.
Kyle Shanahan Takes a Shot at Liam Coen
Shanahan was not pleased about Coen getting in a confrontation with Saleh. Shanahan didn’t see the altercation but still took aim at Coen for his behavior.
“I didn’t see what happened so I’m not sure, but he [Liam] shouldn’t be so sensitive,” said Shanahan.
Kyle Shanahan on Robert Saleh and Liam Coen having words after the game:
“I didn’t see what happened so I’m not sure, but he [Liam] shouldn’t be so sensitive.” pic.twitter.com/fbrgICdAyX
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) September 28, 2025
Emotions were running high from a tightly contested battle between two good teams. Coen was hyped up and Saleh was still feeling the emotions from the game, which led to them going after each other. Eventually, everything calmed down as they were eventually separated.
It was really feisty between the two, with Coen telling Saleh to watch his mouth.
“Keep my name outta your mouth,” said Coen.
Wild: Jags HC Liam Coen confronted 49ers DC Robert Saleh and was yelling at him to keep his name out of his mouth…
“Keep my name outta your mouth.”
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 29, 2025
Shanahan went after Coen’s sensitivity, even though he never saw what happened. It’s to be expected that Shanahan would be on the side of his fellow staff member. The 49ers were very disappointed that they couldn’t continue their undefeated season.
The Jaguars and Coen are off to the franchise’s best start in years. On the other hand, the 49ers failed to extend their divisional lead, and they’re instead now in a three-way tie at the top of the NFC West.
The Jaguars made life very difficult for the 49ers offense in Week 4, forcing four turnovers. Brock Purdy had two interceptions and a fumble, and TE Luke Farrell contributed with another fumble of his own. Additionally, San Francisco’s special teams gave up a return touchdown.
Saleh’s defensive unit did a pretty good job containing Trevor Lawrence but failed to contain Travis Etienne Jr., who ran for 124 yards and a touchdown. The miscues by the offense and special teams made it hard for the 49ers to keep the Jaguars off the board enough to win the game.
The Jaguars are sitting pretty at 3-1 and are now tied with the Colts for first in the AFC South. Coen doesn’t figure to dwell on the altercation too long, as he has to turn his attention to preparing a visit from the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 5.
Meanwhile, the 49ers have to figure a few things out themselves. They need to stop turning the ball over. It’s a short week for San Francisco, as they travel to face a talented Rams squad that’s one of the teams they share first place with in the NFC West
Given the caliber of Sean McVay’s squad, continuing to turn the ball over like they did in Week 4 won’t fly.
