NFL Network: Liam Coen To The Bucs Will Happen
February 2nd, 2024
Kentucky OC Liam Coen.
So let it be written. So let it be done.
If it’s good enough for “The Insiders,” it’s good enough for Joe.
“The Insiders,” a show streamed weekdays on NFL+, is made up of NFL Network insiders sharing their latest intel from the movers and shakers throughout the league.
Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero all are of the belief Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen signing a contract with the Bucs is a mere formality. Coen will be the next Bucs offensive coordinator, they say.
In fact, Rapoport spoke of the move in the past tense.
“This really does seem to make the re-signing of Baker Mayfield more likely for the Bucs,” Rapoport said of Coen coming to Tampa Bay. “If you are Todd Bowles and you are Tampa Bay, they did a lot of great things this year with not a great roster and a lot of dead money. This was supposed to be a reset year.
“So if they want to run it back basically with what they did only with a little bit better players and a little bit more money spent, great way to start.
“Liam Coen is a bright young coordinator. … This is a really strong move for the Bucs, especially what it pertains to their quarterback.”
When you factor everything in, Coen began the rehab of Mayfield’s career, he has experience calling plays, he runs an offense similar to what Dave Canales ran and he’s a disciple of Sean McVay who develops quality coaches like Ford pumps out F-150s for Bill Currie Ford… Joe believes the Bucs couldn’t have done a whole lot better.
From The Insiders on #NFLPlus: The #Bucs are set to hire Liam Coen as their OC. pic.twitter.com/YzIkV3ZYQn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 2, 2024
February 2nd, 2024 at 12:56 pm
OL coach =/> OC
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:00 pm
WHO is going to fix the defense? One of the worst teams against the pass & the NFL is a passing league.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:00 pm
MEH….
Bounced around each year the past few years…
Hopefully Bowels won’t stifle Coen and he works out….
Maybe even take TB’s job!
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:01 pm
The Bucs I feel will miss the positiveness and energy level of Canales. Isn’t Coen somewhat more laid back? I may be wrong, but it’s winning that ultimately counts
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:02 pm
Coen will definitely bring a McVay influence to our offense but he will need time to grow and settle into this position. Don’t get too down on him at first because he has the potential to be a solid OC later in the season.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:04 pm
Already listed on his wiki …. LIAM COEN: OC of the buccaneers
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:08 pm
Dude appears too excited about working with Mayfield.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:11 pm
Good hire. Bowles gameday decisions are questionable, but his ability to spot and grow talent isn’t. Hoping they can lure Randall-El to coach receivers and Munchak for the OLine. LFG!
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Baker will sign first soon. Then you do Mike Evans and you franchise Winfield.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:13 pm
I believe we’ve upgraded
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:15 pm
Confession, i actually lost sleep thinking they might not snare this guy. I admit it, I’m shallow and over invested
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:24 pm
He wont survive Bowles firing mid season.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:26 pm
Yeah, I agree @ Capt Kidd
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
If it is finalized a great move by Coach Bowles. Former players raved about his schematic approach to run game. There is nothing not to like in this move unless you are a super negative person and a constant whiner.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:30 pm
He is excited because he knows he is getting the next blue chip Heisman winning gunslinger franchise QB who is only 28 ,healthy and just now maturing into a slick savvy NFL elite. ready to blossom . Over the next two years Bakert’s high IQ, his aggressiveness, and dedication to hard work will serve to more than make up for any misperceived weakness that fake news media darlings claim limit him. Just look at Cynthia Frelund’s story that the Buc’s offense over achieved more than every other team by far. Because of Baker. If you go by her stats Baker is top three.
If he gets some reinforcements this year and ME stays the Buc’s might make to the SB and win it as soon as next year and almost certainly the year after. Much to the chagrin of all the doubters and haters.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:32 pm
Bowles will handcuff him just as he did with Canales & Leftwich. More of the same
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:34 pm
I like it.
The Bucs want to keep Mayfield and were determined to grab a branch from the McVay tree.
So this is a good hire.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:37 pm
Go Bucs
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:40 pm
Good choice and energy!
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:50 pm
The more I read the more I like Coen! His teams improve whenever he calls plays. Hopefully because he’s experienced he’ll have full control over the offense or more than Canales did.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:54 pm
But, but, but…”Boss” said it’d be John Van Dam because nobody else wanted the job…What happened, Boss? 🤔
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:56 pm
I believe it is an upgrade as well. Good way to begin the offseason. This team is not far from being a team that could win multiple playoff rounds. With Coach Bowles being the great defensive mind that he is being able to bring in a solid offensive mind should spell great things on both sides of the ball. I like that Bowles gave Canales so much freedom to call plays that sought a balance but did not prevent Canales from straying from the blue print when necessary. Coach Bowles is certainly a coach that offensive coordinators can thrive with. It took the last offensive coordinator only 1 season to elevate to the level of head coach.
What else can you ask for? Hard not to be optimistic
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:00 pm
Finally. We didn’t have to scrape the bottom of the barrel. Good signing. Seems he likes to run the ball too. Please get a BIG back.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:01 pm
When I read that Coen likes wide-zone run schemes, my ears perked up. R. White, for one, will excel in a space-oriented run scheme, methinks.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:04 pm
Not a good roster? What kind of insider are they? Not that good of a roster is Jets or titans, the panthers. I wont believe a word they say until the contract is signed
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:14 pm
It seems like Baker Mayfield handed Tampa a list of approved offensive coordinators.
And as soon as Alex Van Pelt was hired the Bucs moved aggressively to make a deal with the number 2 or 3 guy on that list…
Don’t forget Zac Robinson was also on that list and was hired as the OC in Atlanta.
This guy might have been the last name on that list.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:27 pm
Looking forward to seeing who gets brought in as O-line coach and receivers coach.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:32 pm
Liam who?
Hummmmmmmmm…….let’s all not jump up at once now.
There’s no guarantee Baker will resign with the Bucs……and I don’t think this guy is Truly who the Bucs wanted in the first place.
Let’s just be 100% honest here, the Glazers are CHEAP. Dave Canales was on nobody’s radar last year for an OC hire……the Glazers scooped him up for cheap…….and they’re doing the same exact thing again with this Liam fella.
Let’s hope Liam can make miracles happen like Dave did last year …because truth be told…..the Bucs overachieved big time last year.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:32 pm
gotta admit…I like this hire based on the systems he has been in
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:33 pm
@ joe in MI
I was wrong. forest said it best……$hit happens
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:56 pm
Limey is not a big believer in the run game.
He ran less last year than any other major college coach
So expect some air coryell offense to be build around the Bucs Wars.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:56 pm
If Coach Bowles wanted Van Pelt he could have hired him a week ago. Do not think he was a top choice for the Bucs. They would have signed him if he was.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:07 pm
@ Murph
Maybe. But the Bucs sure did move swiftly to get this deal done.
Probably just a coincidence.
Another ex-Rams coach…
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:18 pm
Okay, Boss…Just making sure you’re okay. I have to admit, I’m wrong sometimes, too.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:24 pm
A solid hire. Happy for the Bucs.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:27 pm
There is literally nothing impressive about Liam Coan coaching career. He is average at best. The rams offense was trash when he was their OC and the Kentucky wildcats offense is not Top 10 in anything remarkable. Our offense will be trash again next year if we hire him to be new OC
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:32 pm
The problem with this scenario is that Mr Kentucky will report to Bowles instead of McVay.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:51 pm
The problem with that scenario was Coach McVay wouldn’t let Coen call plays which means he did not allow his offensive coordinator any say or freedom. But then you criticize Coach Bowles and say he will stifle Coen. But it was McVay that stifled Coen. Argument doesn’t make sense.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:02 pm
Excited about this hire. I expect him to have a lot of plays from the WCO, like the Shanahans and like McVay. I think this guy will end up being a much better OC than Canales.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:02 pm
This is a good hire I think.
Helps relieve the pain from the Canales jilting
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:10 pm
Seems decent, never know till you get on the field, hopefully he doesn’t replicate the Rams 2022 offense
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:29 pm
Murph, the argument is, McVay is an excellent Super Bowl winning head coach.
Bloweszo is 18-19 with the Bucs. Losing record.
Bloweszo was 24-40 with the Jets. Horrible losing record.
Overall, Bloweszo is 42-59 as a head coach. His specialty is losing, but maybe this analysis is too subtle.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:45 pm
Ricki Says:
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:24 pm
“He wont survive Bowles firing mid season. ”
You clearly do not know our owners.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:46 pm
I figure Canales worked out as a gamble. This guy might too.
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:16 pm
We have to hope, Bonz.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:04 pm
The Baker connection is great and shows the Bucs won’t let him walk, and I don’t think Baker wants to uproot his family again! You show a kid like Baker he has a home and respect what he brings to the table ( two games from the super bowl, in case some of u have forgot already) and he will flourish even more! All the greats have that I’ll show the doubters mentality, hell Brady used it till his final game, and this aspect only makes the team their on better
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:34 pm
Who was the moron poster that said nobody wanted to work with Baker? Bowles is just deliberate. Haste makes waste.
February 2nd, 2024 at 6:40 pm
With the overwhelming number of OC’s with connections to Baker Mayfield, I think it’s pretty obvious the Bucs intend to sign him. When you factor this year into the contract we’ve heard bounced around (3 years-ish, $100 mil-ish), is a bargain.
The attempt at maintaining some consistency/cohesiveness, seems like it will allow the Bucs to build off of this season’s success.
Good hire, adding Baker and Mike, would seemingly keep us competitive in the South. A lot of that success was Baker’s execution with the talent around him.
Now we just have to see if Canales was a fluke, or if the offensive pieces (including Baker) were a perfect fit – and if Liam Coen can have as much success as Canales had. Past per formance does not guarantee future success…so I’m tempering my enthusiam, but on paper, this looks like a good hire!
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:34 pm
Good hire!
February 2nd, 2024 at 8:17 pm
Kidfloflo Says:
“The Baker connection is great and shows the Bucs won’t let him walk…
You show a kid like Baker he has a home and respect what he brings to the table… he will flourish even more”
Sometimes it’s about doing what it takes to move forward to help everyone do better. I really like the vibe that’s going on. Bowles took on Canales, he has bought in on this style of offense. The Team and QB seem on the same page. 1+1+1+1+1 = 10. The devils in the backrubs. Let’s see what Baker and the Team come up with to keep him in Orange and Pewter a little while. I expect they will keep it all inhouse and even keel. Let next season speak for itself when it comes.
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:29 pm
Fix that defense coach
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:39 pm
I’m really starting to think this won’t be happening. Doesn’t make sense to take this long plus there is nothing on the Bucs website.
February 2nd, 2024 at 10:26 pm
Dbbuc711, I guess they are finalizing the details. The UK websites all say he is gone and are looking at new OC candidates at UK. It took the Steelers 3 or 4 days before they officially signed Arthur Smith as their OC. Give it time…. of course you could be onto something like Coen going to BC as he was mentioned as a HC candidate there but I think the Bucs are just being their typical selves, dragging their feet and raising fan anxiety levels.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:39 pm
Outstanding! This guy is good and this makes signing Baker and ME13 a better possibility.
Plus, I feel a hell of a lot better with him than every single other person we heard was interviewing.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:47 pm
Everyone is saying what about the defense… I just don’t believe people how good Todd Bowles is as a DC. For the last two years he has absolutely zero pass rush from the front 4 and has to rely heavily on the blitz.
On the backend it’s constant shuffling around and injuries.
Still top 7 in points allowed.
I’m not blind, I know they have issues but give some credit where it’s due
With Kancey & YaYa and either a healthier restructured Shaq or someone else, maybe a 4 man pass rush finally happens.
That happens and they’re able to ease off on the blitz without getting torn apart in zone, Look out. Personally, I think Davis or Dean has to go. I like them both but neither one seems to give you more than 12 games a year. The rookie and Zion are proving to be pretty good. LVD is still playing at a high-level & Winfield is all world. As usual they need one more edge rusher, and a fast linebacker to replace White. I just don’t see Britt being the full-time guy.
February 3rd, 2024 at 12:33 am
Jack Clark Says:
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:27 pm
There is literally nothing impressive about Liam Coan coaching career. He is average at best. The rams offense was trash when he was their OC and the Kentucky wildcats offense is not Top 10 in anything remarkable. Our offense will be trash again next year if we hire him to be new OC
——-
So who should they get? Very good proven OC’s this day and age don’t stay in that position very long. They become a head coach. That’s what everyone wants. They want the young offensive minds. Look how fast Canales was snatched up. So the only way you get a good OC is to find a young guy, give him a chance, and hope you get lucky. Literally that’s how it is in this sport right now.
February 3rd, 2024 at 1:57 am
There goes Jack Clark spewing nonsense again.
He has NEVER been the Rams OC.
That title will always be McVays.
You probably wouldn’t be happy unless Hugh Hefner was the OC.
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:56 am
I like the Coen hire and think he’s an upgrade as he called plays at Kentucky. Kentucky is challenged in recruiting in the SEC, and Coen did well with the talent he had.
With Coen seemingly on board, I hope he can pull in some good assistants, especially OL coach. I wasn’t impressed by this year’s run game OL coach, and I think it’s critical we bring in a great OL coach.
February 4th, 2024 at 1:02 am
@David said;
“ Everyone is saying what about the defense… I just don’t believe people how good Todd Bowles is as a DC. For the last two years he has absolutely zero pass rush from the front 4 and has to rely heavily on the blitz.
On the backend it’s constant shuffling around and injuries.
Still top 7 in points allowed.”
Amen! I was not impressed with Bowles initially, but I have to admit his defensive consistency, despite a mostly “meh” (it’s not ALL meh) defensive roster!? To win the division back to back with, then without, the GOAT…Bowles just keeps winning. Always has a wrinkle/tweak/adjustment, to keep his Bucs in the fight.
Credit where credit is due!