Bucs Officially Sign Liam Coen As OC

Now it’s officially official. After many reports that the Bucs were working on signing Liam Coen, the organization announced on Saturday afternoon that they have signed him to be their next offensive play caller.

Rams HC Sean McVay, Bucs OC Liam Coen and Rams QB Matthew Stafford – Photo by: USA Today

After deliberately searching to find a replacement for Dave Canales, the Bucs were able to find a coordinator with an innovative offense that is somewhat similar to what Tampa Bay has been running. Coen has been coaching since 2010 and has spent the last six years with either the University of Kentucky or the Los Angeles Rams.

Liam Coen Brings Different Experiences To The Bucs

Working his way up from assistant wide receivers coach and assistant quarterbacks coach to eventually being an offensive coordinator, Coen does have experience calling plays. That hopefully means that the Bucs won’t have as many growing pains or learning curves that they did a season ago.

Coen has worked with college and NFL quarterbacks, giving him a better outlook of players of different calibers. And if you’re wondering why he went back to Kentucky after having a nice gig in the NFL? He just wanted to call plays. Coen comes from the Sean McVay and Shane Waldron coaching tree, so there’s is a modern day look to his offense. This is the first piece of the puzzle for the Bucs as they figure out what they want to do next with the coaching staff and players they need to re-sign.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield at the 2024 Pro Bowl – Photo by: USA Today

Of course near the top of that list is re-signing quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has experience with Coen and the Rams from 2022. Mayfield had great things to say about Coen when speaking at the Pro Bowl this week and what his offense can do for the Bucs. This doesn’t mean Mayfield is back with Tampa Bay, but it at least enhances the possibility that he could return. The other important goal is to re-sign Mike Evans.

Outside of the moves, Coen does have a young offensive line that should only get better. He has a Pro Bowl caliber receiver in Chris Godwin and an up and coming running back with Rachaad White. Plus, there is growing talent as tight end Cade Otton stepped it up at the end of the season and Trey Palmer showed why he can be a threat once he figures it out.

This is a new chapter for the Bucs and Liam Coen that hopefully will result in progress and the organization moving forward.