Todd Bowles On Hiring Liam Cohen To Run Bucs Offense
February 3rd, 2024
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
So earlier this afternoon, the official became officially official. The Bucs media relations department put out a news release that the Bucs had inked Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen to run the Bucs’ offense.
In the release, Bucs coach Todd Bowles had a few words about his new hire.
“Throughout the selection process, Liam stood out for his innovative offensive mind, exceptional coaching skills, and the remarkable impact he’s had at every level of his career,” Bowles was quoted.
“We believe his vision and approach to the game will be a tremendous asset to our team, and we look forward to the energy and expertise he brings to our coaching staff.”
Well, Baker Mayfield or no Baker Mayfield, Joe thinks this is a refreshing hire. Rams coach Sean McVay pumps out quality coaches year after year. Guys from his coaching staff, including several head coaches, litter the NFL.
Joe doesn’t believe in coincidences, especially when it comes to football.
And yes, since the Bucs want Mayfield back as quarterback, why not get someone who not only has had success with a quarterback (Will Levis) but also has some success with Mayfield and comes from the McVay tree?
Joe thinks this is forward-thinking by the Bucs organization.
February 3rd, 2024 at 5:12 pm
Much more excited about this OC than Canales. Expect to see elements of the WCO which will help the O line.
February 3rd, 2024 at 5:30 pm
Really strong hire. Love Canales but he’s never going to run a top 5 offense. I think Coen could get us there
February 3rd, 2024 at 5:36 pm
Happy about this hire. She be very good.
February 3rd, 2024 at 5:37 pm
Certainly a shorter learning curve than Canales.
I was like “meh” when Canales left. I always thought he was more happy-talk hype than results.
Fingers crossed the team won’t have an ugly mid-season swoon under Coen.
February 3rd, 2024 at 5:45 pm
Does he run up the middle on first down on every first play of every drive?
February 3rd, 2024 at 5:46 pm
And wasn’t he married to Miley Cyrus? Will she be at any of the games?
February 3rd, 2024 at 5:59 pm
There has been nothing negative I have read about this coach except crying Kentucky fans who are angry and feel betrayed because he apparently promised he would be there for long haul when he came back to Kentucky.
This was a great hire regardless of who is on offense this season. Let’s just hope they are able to beef up the trenches on both sides and the Bucs will be good this year.
February 3rd, 2024 at 6:08 pm
Now we need Licht to do what Licht does.
LFG!!!!!
February 3rd, 2024 at 6:09 pm
Feels like an upgrade at OC.
February 3rd, 2024 at 6:10 pm
I was negative partially because Todd.
But credit where it’s due – looks like a gem of a hire. KY had dishwashers and bellhops playing for them last year.
February 3rd, 2024 at 6:18 pm
LC is destined to be a HC someday! Hopefully for the Bucs In a couple of years.
February 3rd, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Excited about the hire. Let’s get Baker back!
February 3rd, 2024 at 6:22 pm
Beef up the center and left guard, resign ME13 and BM6, then maybe the Bucs are fielding a top 5 offense!
February 3rd, 2024 at 6:51 pm
Infomeplease: Exactly!
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:00 pm
As they say, Coen check a lot of the boxes. Have called plays at both the college and NFL level, he and Mayfield know a little bit about each other and he runs a up tempo offense with 50/50 run pass also my understanding is that, he’s a offense innovator. Sounds like a good hire but, I got to wait until the middle of October to see what’s what
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:01 pm
All the above
Except let ME13 walk
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:11 pm
Hopefully he replaces Bowles in two years.
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:12 pm
Let’s get some SEC players other than those from Vanderbilt, but we have done ok with Auburn, Florida, ehhh, 😃
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:16 pm
I am start to believe Bowles know what he’s doing. For a moment I thought Bowles was just another below average coach in the NFL but behind bringing in Mayfield, Canales and now Coen, looks like he has a good grip of what he want in his team and it starting to look pretty damn good. Still I ll see come mid October
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:21 pm
All our offense needs are good run blocking guards and center, hopefully Licht fills those needs next season so we can light up the scoreboard again
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:22 pm
It’s good that Todd Bowles is becoming known for developing coordinators into becoming head coaches. That will attract more talent to Tampa and keep us in the playoffs every year
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:22 pm
I’m diggin it!
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:42 pm
Good hire, now let’s get Mayfield signed!
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:48 pm
I was pretty bummed when Canales left, mostly because it was an intriguing idea to think of him replacing Bowles here as head coach someday. But I’m excited about Coen. Innovation and creativity. Sounds good.
February 3rd, 2024 at 7:51 pm
GREAT choice. Very smart coach, and exactly what TB needs. He will make good use of White both in backfield, and out in space. Should give the TE’s some love too. And if Evans and Godwin and Palmer work, should be pretty good overall.
February 3rd, 2024 at 8:07 pm
Hopefully Coen is a top notch OC that will eventually replace Bowles!
February 3rd, 2024 at 8:26 pm
I DON’T KNOW?
Can a new coach really do better than the 23rd ranked offense and the 31st ranked rushing attack?
BIG SHOES TO FILL
February 3rd, 2024 at 9:30 pm
@Doosh – REALLY ? And replace him with who ? Evans is a Buc for life . And if anyone is willing to let him walk , then you obviously don’t know anything about our Bucs, let alone the NFL ! We would not have made the playoffs if not for Evans. And Baker will leave if Evans leaves. Bucs front office knows that Evans does a lot more than put butts in the seats. He’s the greatest offensive player in team history with no signs of slowing down. Do you really want to see him catch his 100th TD and get the record from Jerry Rice with 11 – 1,000 + yard seasons 🤔?? You aren’t a true Bucs fan if so
February 3rd, 2024 at 9:37 pm
With another team 👆
February 3rd, 2024 at 9:48 pm
Has to be better than Jeff Jagodzinski.
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:03 pm
Let’s go!!!
It’s time to start signing our guys: BM, ME, TW, LVD and AWJr
Then see what what happens in Free agency and the draft…
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:07 pm
Canales and the kitties are going to be horrible for a long t8me. Thier owner is a p.o.s. Thier roster is crap on toast. They dont have a first round pick this draft. Good luck nevermind that bad lyck to tou and the team I hate the.most in the nfc south. Now to the future. I Love this selection. This is the way more experienced , mature, and advanced version of Canales
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:24 pm
TampaBayDJ,
You’re being sentimental about the NFL business.
I’ll also guess that you’ve invested in #13 jerseys in all flavors.
Evans will decline and I don’t think he really wants to be here anymore.
Why overpay for that?
Let him get his big money final contract elsewhere.
We can use that money to make our TEAM better at least 2 positions in FA.
We have Godwin making 20 mil and we hardly use him.
Having 2, 20 million plus WRs is crazy.
Roll with THE TRULY PROFESSIONAL CG14 (never suspended and never seen him be a baby) and inject some youth for him to mentor and let another team pay Mike the huge bucks during his decline.
He’ll always be a a BUC and I’m happy we had him for this long, but we need to move on and get younger at the position.
GO BUCS!
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:36 pm
@DooshLaRue- I’d agree but Godwin lost speed and explosiveness since the knee injury. He might as well be Mikes age and slower. He relies on his physicality and route running to get open from the slot. He’s not a true WR1 any longer and with Mike gone he won’t be able to carry the load.
That puts the Bucs in a bind if they can’t resign ME13.
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:41 pm
I agree sign Evans and move on from Godwin after this season
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:08 pm
Canales lacked seasoning. Bright enough but looked lost at times. Not ready for prime time. Didn’t show me a whole lot of creativity. Bowles on the other hand proved he is a good motivator who is adored by his players. Future looks bright.
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:18 pm
It still baffles me how average at best coaches like Dave Canales and Liam Coen keep getting hired for head coaching and coordinator positions
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:55 pm
Why doesn’t anyone state the obvious about Canales? How often do coordinators WITH experience pan out as Head Coaches? Very rarely. Canales has been given a position, much like Raheem was when he was Bucs HC, and I see the same struggle for Canales, Bryce Young, and the Panthers. Canales doesn’t even have years of coordinator experience. He’s going to rely on everyone around him, which would be his only saving grace. He may not be a cocky SOB like Chucky, but he’ll struggle with everything from the draft to managing an entire team. I don’t know much about the Panther’s GM, but I’m going to guess their situation is not much different from the Cowboys with a presumably meddling owner.
February 3rd, 2024 at 11:59 pm
@Jack Clark,
The league is changing where they are looking for player-friendly, ex-players, and/or younger coaches. I understand the movement. Some teams also don’t have a choice, they just won’t attract the big ticket coaches.
February 4th, 2024 at 12:53 am
Dooshlarue is a fn moron. Yes let’s keep the ofeñten injured wr that scored two tds last year and has significant wear and tear compared to the proven no 1 wr. Who has none who is this clown?? All he does is hate on Mike Evans every post. We get it you hate Mike Evans your so cool and different…. So smart. We got a football savant in dooshlarue
February 4th, 2024 at 1:01 am
The Panthers just took what they could get, basically… It’s not like they had very much to choose from. There wasn’t any big name veteran coaches out there clamoring for THAT job under THAT owner, that’s for sure 💯… No one with any sense, anyway!!!! Canales, on the other hand, had no choice. HE had to take it. A once in a lifetime opportunity… He might not have even gotten another chance. Just think about how MANY who NEVER do… And heII, he was JUST a ‘QB-Coach’ STILL, only a YEAR ago!!!! Wow. He really lucked out. Whoever, it was who said that about Cohen being a fast “Tempo Guy,” let’s just HOPE that Stoops was ‘the reason’ for last season’s UK Team being Dead LAST in the NATION in number of plays ran per game (around 52-56, right off the top of my head), cause it was extremely BRUTAL, BORING, & soooo hard to watch!? They made a ‘conscience’ effort to change it after Week-3 last season & it NEVER got ANY better, whatsoever. So, Idk… Guess, we’ll see!? I said two months ago, I hope we can get “Sweet Baby Ray” DAVIS, then a month ago, I read something (bleacher report, I think), where they had like the Top-9 RB’s listed and what teams should draft them… The Bucs were never listed on a single ONE of the first 8 or whatever, & I’m like, WHAT and WHERE IS RAY LoL. Thennnn, There HE WAS… THE Very LAST ONE. And, sure enough, they had THE BUCS listed as one of the teams who should draft him!!!! I think he’s THE Perfect Fit with White… He reminds me of Austin Eckler. Now, that we have Cohen… Maybe, it was just meant to be!? Let’s Get HIM. That would make a great “R & R” Team… Rachaad & Ray, BABY!!!! Let’s Gooooo!
February 4th, 2024 at 3:19 am
Dungy ran it up the middle and got fired.
February 4th, 2024 at 5:46 am
Glad to hear and very excited to see what comes off this hiring. Buc organization did not waist a day after candles decision. Not did they rush pick either, interview or attending interview as many to candidates as possible. And coen sounds like a great pick for this team all around. And on the side note, it works be stupid to just let ME13 walk. He’s still got it in the tank, for those thinking he had a bad year, then think of how many wide receivers would love to have that season as their best year. Again over 1000 yards, 13 yds,he had a couple drops(show me wr that doesn’t, ever, any era) but he’s always there in the clutch. I love me some Godwin but he’s not a true number 1, mainly after one injury. Besides these two receivers complement each other’s game greatly, without egos. So for those who think we should just let Mike walk be careful what you want and ask for. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!! Keep the band together!!!
Try to bring them all back and add in the draft…
February 4th, 2024 at 7:40 am
Based on his success at Kentucky his teams did real well against real weak competitors and got squashed by good teams. He’ll fit right in with the Bucs.
Won’t be much of a change replacing Canales. Offense that maximizes the QB position while the offense as a whole ranks mediocre.
Fortunately the Defense will keep them in games against the weaker teams.
February 4th, 2024 at 7:40 am
Manage the salary cap efficently please…. there was alot of dead money on the roster. Some players should be allowed to WALK…
February 4th, 2024 at 7:51 am
Good Hire
ME13 a Buc for Life and deservedly so , ME still has a lot of gas in tank.
February 4th, 2024 at 7:54 am
Not sure about this hire….
February 4th, 2024 at 7:59 am
Nice work TB. I did not see him hiring anyone but a Seahawks/Bears kind of OC.
Let’s see if a Todd has learned anything about game plans, in game adjustments, clock management and how to call a timeout. It can be overcome if we start putting up 40 burgers. Hell, I might even back bringing back ME (for the right deal) if we actually have a passing offense.
February 4th, 2024 at 10:54 am
February 4th, 2024 at 11:00 am
I think Godwin is fine. BM waits on ME all day, while Brady did not have that weakness and saw the whole field.
February 4th, 2024 at 11:05 am
Not a bad hire considering the challenges finding a quality candidate and getting them to commit to an interview. He’ll run a similar system as Canales, but he is known for improving redzone efficiency, which is very much needed. His campaign as OC for the Rams would have been better if they didn’t have alll of the injuries they had that year. We will see, but I think this is a good hire. Now Bowles just needs to stay out of the way and focus on learning how to manage the clock and improve the pass rush. His whole defense lives or dies on the pass rush. If you cannot get to the QB, adjust. Its always the definition of insanity with this guy.
February 4th, 2024 at 11:07 am
Not sure about this hire in 2022 rams ranked 32nd in offense. 2023 Kentucky ranked 99th in college offense and 10th in the SEC of of 14 teams.
February 4th, 2024 at 11:15 am
I like the hire (upgrade from Canales) but I just hope he was signed to a multi-year deal. If not and let’s say he succeeds in getting the Bucs to a 10-win season, the talking heads and NFL hype machine will be touting him as the next young genius who deserves one of the many HC jobs that are sure to be available at season’s end.
Hopefully they learned from the Canales mistake
February 4th, 2024 at 11:21 am
Hey Joe, might want to check the spelling in your headline. Significant (but easy) error to make.
February 4th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
“Nothing negative except crying Kentucky fans”, there will be nothing but crying fanbois if the Bucs don’t sign Mayfield to a long term 6 year $240 mil contract which he has “earned” because of his astronomically great 2023 and career record.
February 4th, 2024 at 2:44 pm
I’ve comment this before and I’ll put out there again with some updates.
1. Who has the best HC/OC in the NF South? I’d take Bowles/Coen any day over Canales + WR coach and Whatever the Saints are making with their easy-bake-McVay-Oven. Atlanta does scare me a little because Raheem is a great coach and Zac Robinson is well trained in the Jedi-McVay arts.
2. Which team has the best QB and Offensive players with best experience at the McVay offense? Baker and the O-boys by a wide margin. Canales taught McVay’s offense to Highschoolers in Seattle and Tampa. Good luck teaching algebra to the first graders on the Carolina squad. The Saints are full of flunkies who probably won’t pass their GED. Atlanta looks to be in middle school with some bright one there. I’d be worry in 2025 and beyond if they had a QB. But they don’t unless you see Cousins go to them. And even then he will be pushing 38 and his ankles will be pushing 50.
3. Which team has the better ownership – Love Arthur Blank. He’s a good person and I shop at the stores he created all the time. But his continued belief in unproven HC for the obvious (looking at you Mike Vrabel) tells you why they will be the perpetual Charlie Brown with Lucy as the holder. No need to say more about the Panthers. Or the ownership that allowed Dennis Allen to stay on the job after his team mutinied a simple victory formation.
The glass is half full. The NFC East is in turmoil. We rule the NFC South. We just got to improve and get over the Lions, Rams and 49ers. Let’s see how the 49ers do against the Chiefs. I have a suspicion the Purdy bubble may burst much like Garrapolo. Brock is a good QB but without all those 4 pro bowl weapons and the pro bowl line, he and SF can be exposed. The salary cap will get them eventually. They are missing some bullets in their holster from the Trey thing.
February 4th, 2024 at 4:01 pm
Mike Evans needs to hit the jug machine and learn how to hang onto the football
February 5th, 2024 at 4:13 pm
Limey is going to cook in Tampa!