The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are actively seeking a replacement for their former offensive coordinator, Dave Canales. The latest development in this quest points toward the college ranks, as the team is set to interview Kentucky’s offensive coordinator, Liam Coen, for the vacant OC position, as reported by Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.
Dave Canales departed from Tampa Bay in the offseason to take on the role of head coach for the Carolina Panthers. His tenure as the offensive coordinator for the Buccaneers lasted throughout the 2023 season.
Liam Coen, currently in his second stint as Kentucky’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, previously held the same positions in 2021. In 2022, he left to become the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. The 38-year-old’s interview with the Buccaneers is not unexpected, given his prior experience with quarterback Baker Mayfield.
During the 2022 season, when Coen was the Rams’ offensive coordinator, they claimed Mayfield off waivers for the final five games.
Mayfield’s performance during the 2023 regular season was exceptional, completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions in 17 games.
He rushed for 163 yards and one score, leading the Bucs to the NFC South crown and securing an upset victory against the Philadelphia Eagles in the wild-card round. Unfortunately, the journey ended with a loss to the Detroit Lions in the divisional round.
As the Buccaneers aim to build upon their success, the familiarity between Coen and Mayfield could prove instrumental in achieving new heights in the upcoming 2024 season.
Liam Coen began his coaching career as a quarterbacks coach for Brown in 2010. He has also served in various roles for the University of Rhode Island, UMass, and Maine before entering the NFL as an assistant wide receivers coach with the Rams in 2018.
Coen continued with the Rams, transitioning to the role of wide receivers coach until the end of the 2019 season, after which he was appointed as the team’s quarterbacks coach in 2020.
