Kentucky Offensive Coordinator Leaving For NFL Job

The Tampa Bay Bucs are set to hire Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen as its newest offensive coordinator, the NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport first reported on Friday morning.

At the time of publication the deal is not yet official but is expected to be soon.

Coen has been in-and-out of Lexington over the last three seasons. He first became Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 2021 after spending the previous three seasons as a position coach for the Los Angeles Rams. After spending the 2021 season as Mark Stoops’ top offensive assistant, Coen rejoined Sean McVay’s staff as the Rams’ offensive coordinator.

After the Rams’ disappointing 2022 season, Coen left Los Angeles to become Kentucky’s offensive coordinator again. But Coen’s second stint in Lexington was just as short as his first. He leaves Kentucky again to run Tampa Bay’s offense under defensive minded head coach Todd Bowles.

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Coen’s departure shouldn’t catch Stoops and Kentucky off guard. The young offensive coordinator had interviewed for multiple NFL offensive coordinator jobs in recent weeks before landing in Tampa.

There’s been a clear difference in the effectiveness of Kentucky’s offense over the last three seasons with and without Coen as offensive coordinator. Kentucky ranked fifth in the SEC in scoring (32.3 PPG) in 2021 and eighth in the SEC (29.1 PPG) last season. Without Coen in 2022, Kentucky’s offense ranked last in the SEC with just 20.4 points per game.

Tennessee saw the difference up close and personal both seasons. Coen’s Kentucky offenses scored 42 and 27 points against Tennessee while the Wildcats’ offense scored just six points against the Vols in 2022.

Kentucky and Coen’s replacement travel to Neyland Stadium to face Tennessee on Nov. 3 during the 2024 season.