Mark Stoops discusses what Kentucky’s offense will look like under OC Liam Coen
By Keith Farner
Published:
Kentucky coach Mark Stoops made his fourth offensive coordinator hire official on Tuesday with the hiring of Liam Coen, an offensive assistant with the Los Angeles Rams.
Because the two positions needing the most development for the Kentucky offense are quarterback and wide receiver, Stoops was asked how Coen fits into that role.
“Bringing people from the NFL has worked for me before and I really liked how detailed he was,” Stoops said at a Tuesday afternoon press conference. “Obviously had a great handle. The biggest areas that need the most improvement are quarterbacks and receivers and he has expertise in both of those areas, and worked with both groups in the NFL, and that was very attractive to me.”
Coen replaces Eddie Gran, who was let go by Stoops nearly two weeks ago after the UK offense this past season finished last in the SEC in total offense with 311 yards per game, it was 11th in scoring offense, third in rushing offense and last in passing offense.
Stoops said he was immediately impressed by Coen’s knowledge and personality when he met with him about the job. Coen will join the Wildcats as soon as the Rams’ season is over. This isn’t the first hire Stoops has made from the NFL. Defensive coordinator Brad White worked with the Indianapolis Colts before he moved to Lexington.
Stoops said the offense led by head coach Sean McVay is balanced and quarterback friendly. But he noted that Coen has plenty of input, especially on third down.
“If you watch them, they see the way they attack you,” Stoops said. “It’s quarterback friendly with the bootlegs and things of that nature as well, and getting the ball out. Obviously I think it was important also to be creative in getting receivers open out of the bunch sets, the pinch sets, their play action, they get the ball on the perimeter with the fly sweeps and then the play action off of it, it’s very balanced I would say, but also creative in attacking people down the field and scoring points.”
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
