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The search for a new offensive coordinator is over!
Mark Stoops has decided that he will hire Liam Coen to be the next offensive coordinator for the Kentucky Wildcats as they look to unleash a brand-new offense.
Coen has spent the last three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams working under Sean McVay and with quarterback Jared Goff. He was also a part of the Rams’ staff during their Super Bowl appearance in 2018.
Coen hasn’t spent much time as a playcaller, but he was the offensive coordinator for University of Maine, where he put up 24.6 points per game and 388.4 total yards a game in 2017.
While Coen hasn’t been a playcaller at any major programs before, Stoops saw something in him that he liked and wanted to bring him on as the new OC. Coen will also be the quarterbacks’ coach which is what he was doing this season with the Rams.
This is an exciting time for Kentucky football and should have the fans ready to see what this offense looks like in 2021.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the news:
— Jon R (@jrasmussbbn) December 15, 2020
If it is Liam Coen, I think you are about to see Kentucky go to a drastic scheme change on offense.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) December 15, 2020
-Outside/Wide zone in, inside zone out
-Under center will happen a lot
-Bootlegs and misdirections all off the outside zone
-Bunch formations
-They'll live in 11 personnel
Liam coen at qb. OC candidate for Kentucky https://t.co/XGr3xNap0A
— Dillon M. Webb (@CaptainDHook) December 14, 2020
Rams Chief Operating Officer on Liam Coen being Kentucky’s next offensive coordinator. https://t.co/jaKkyPpqpN
— John Clay (@johnclayiv) December 15, 2020
Mark Stoops had to go outside of his comfort zone with the hire of Coen. It’s a great move. The next step is to prove that it was Gran and not him holding back the offense.
— Round Daddy (@JStreble82) December 15, 2020
Can confirm that Kentucky plans to hire L.A. Rams assistant Liam Coen as the Wildcats’ new offensive coordinator. Mark Stoops zeroed in on him very early and flew to L.A. last week to interview him after the Rams’ Thursday night game.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) December 15, 2020
Maine, 2017 under Coen pic.twitter.com/16CcFWFt5N
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) December 15, 2020
There are going to be some pretty big growing pains for the offense going to outside zone. Figuring out the best way to still be able to have a very effective run game is going to be Coen's biggest task. Offense has to have that to be successful in his first couple seasons.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) December 15, 2020
Liam Coen in 2018 talking about his football camp and values. https://t.co/ZsNKT2YcjR
— Jason Marcum (@marcum89) December 15, 2020
I have to be honest, I would have been very disappointed if the hire was Bush Hamdan. Nothing against the guy, but not much excitement from a hire like that. On the other hand, we should all be excited about Liam Coen! #BBN
— Braden Nevius (@BradenNevius) December 15, 2020
I love the Liam Coen hire for Mark Stoops. I think it’s a great move to go the NFL route.
— Shawn Smith (@gbbcountry) December 15, 2020
Liam Coen folks. I like it
— Patrick Loney (@PatrickLoney) December 15, 2020
Wow! @LiamCoen is a BIG get. https://t.co/9tTW9qFgxM
— Daniel Scroggins (@palmbeachd) December 15, 2020
@LiamCoen Welcome to the #BBN can't wait to see what you have in store for the offense.
— Travis Best (@tbest459) December 15, 2020
Is @LiamCoen a visor or hat guy?
— T.J. Walker (@TJWalkerRadio) December 15, 2020
Some background on Liam Coen, who appears to be Kentucky's new offensive coordinator.https://t.co/ahQEk6Ghqa
— Josh Moore (@JoshMooreHL) December 15, 2020
@LiamCoen pic.twitter.com/JR5zuTm6eu
— Gavin Downard (@shortyd1717) December 15, 2020
I think Liam Coen is a great choice
— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 15, 2020
The offense will be open and much more modern
Good move for Mark Stoops
Love the Liam Coen hire
— Trevor Williams (@williamstrev5) December 15, 2020
Run to set up pass, balance, and TE heavy. Philosophy meets current/future personnel. Rams: 19 rush TD’s, 18 passing. https://t.co/rZN8QczA2d
— Freddie Maggard (@FredMaggard606) December 15, 2020
And my favorite -- SNAPS UNDER CENTER! https://t.co/UEMzSsvOrj
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) December 15, 2020
Hiring from the Sean McVay coaching tree is wise if you want to open up the offense as Stoops says he does. Rams ranked fourth in the NFL in passing ypg in 2019, fifth in 2018, 10th in 2017. They’re 12th this season. https://t.co/cyQklFqeV8
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) December 15, 2020
Like the @LiamCoen hire. Sounds like a lot of people at the NFL level are really high on him. You don't get this kind of promotion unless some people have really bought in on you.
— Justin Rowland (@RowlandRIVALS) December 15, 2020
Worth saying UK still has to hire a RB and OL coach. Unless someone is going to coach multiple positions the ST coordinator being one coach doing just that its not going to happen. I would not be surprised if ST coordinator would be promoted within one of the ten coaches.
— Patrick Loney (@PatrickLoney) December 15, 2020
Liam Coen is a move I'm hesitant about because I've been duped by the Sean McVay system before. I am excited that Stoops is taking the Kentucky offense into the 21st century, however. Previous system ran its course and gave UKFB a lot of success but it was time for change. #BBN
— DonoJam (@Donovan513HES) December 15, 2020
With the addition of Liam Coen, Kentucky will play SEC football in 2021 with offensive and defensive coordinators from the state of Rhode Island.
— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) December 15, 2020
For anyone somehow comparing this to Bengals/Zac Taylor pic.twitter.com/ZzLVxEwWNX
— Jason Marcum (@marcum89) December 15, 2020
There are some similarities between Beau Allen and Jared Goff.
— Adam Luckett (@AdamLuckettKSR) December 15, 2020
-Accurate but not explosive arm
-Air Raid backgrounds
-Mobility but not much speed
I'm sure that was a huge selling point in this hiring process.
Congrats @LiamCoen!! In the words of T.O...@UMassFootball https://t.co/Cnj90SRGeO pic.twitter.com/911MdHMtO5
— Brandon London (@BrandonLondonTV) December 15, 2020
Congratulations @LiamCoen welcome to the BBN
— Nick (@KYCarpoolshow) December 15, 2020
@LiamCoen .. READY FOR YOU TO BE IN THE #BBN .. BRING US THE QB DEVELOPMENT AND THE KILLER PLAY ACTION GAME ON THOSE STRETCH RUNS
— HARRY BROOKS (@THEREALBEAR47) December 15, 2020
Looks like Mark Stoops has found his new offensive coordinator in LA Rams quarterbacks coach Liam Coen. This will surely now become a wide open style of offense for UK
— Wildcat Blue Nation (@WildcatBlueNatn) December 15, 2020
With signing day tomorrow getting OC in place before then was top priority. More details to come. #BBN
Ready for change
— Moore Edits (@moore_edits) December 15, 2020
Welcome to the Big Blue Nation, @LiamCoen! pic.twitter.com/73WFkxMI5F
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