Liam Coen reportedly set to leave Kentucky for NFL OC position
Liam Coen’s second stint with Kentucky appears to be coming to an end, according to a report.
Per the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have “zeroed in” on Coen as their next offensive coordinator. Coen has a lengthy history in the NFL, most recently as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022.
The report says a deal between Coen and the Bucs has not been finalized, but the parties are tracking toward an agreement:
The #Bucs have zeroed in on an OC hire — Liam Coen. There is hope that the deal is done at some point soon, but main point — Coen is set to be the guy. https://t.co/RbqXcyl1Xi
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 2, 2024
Coen has been linked to multiple NFL OC jobs this offseason. It was reported earlier this week that Coen was set to interview for the Bucs’ position.
Coen joining Tampa Bay could set up a reunion with Baker Mayfield, who overlapped with Coen in Los Angeles during the 2022 campaign. Mayfield, who is set to be a free agent this offseason, led Tampa Bay to the postseason in 2023.
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This is the second time that Coen has left Lexington for the NFL. He was Kentucky’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2021, but left his post to join the Rams.
Coen produced strong results for Kentucky’s offense in 2023. The Wildcats jumped up from 14th in the SEC in yards-per-play in 2022 all the way to No. 7 in 2023 with Coen calling the plays. Kentucky coach Mark Stoops will have his work cut out for him as he looks for a replacement offensive coordinator.