Kentucky OC Liam Coen a 'serious candidate' for both Bears, Ohio State coordinator openings

Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen is a hot commodity. On Sunday, Kentucky Sports Radio host Matt Jones claimed multiple teams have shown interest in Coen.

“I think Liam Coen is serious candidate for the Bears and Ohio St OC job,” Jones wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He has big options But it was also made clear to the UK staff he wouldn’t be a One and Done on his second trip to Lexington. People in Lex think he will stay, but if he doesn’t, I think folks will be upset.”

Kentucky initially hired Coen in 2021. He was previously the quarterbacks coach for the Los Angeles Rams. Under Coen’s guidance, Kentucky’s offense saw unmatched success in the Mark Stoops Era, boosting the Wildcats to a 10-3 record.

After such a successful campaign, Coen was offered the opportunity to return to the Rams, this time as the offensive coordinator. He took it. However, Coen didn’t find the same success at the professional level he had enjoyed in Lexington.

In 2022, the Rams ranked 27th in the NFL in scoring offense, averaging just 18.1 points per game while rotating through a few quarterbacks after a Matthew Stafford injury. Looking for a change of pace, Coen returned to Kentucky for the 2023 campaign.

Despite Coen’s return, the Wildcats couldn’t capture the same magic they had in 2021. In the 2023 campaign, Kentucky only averaged 339.5 yards per game, ranking No. 98 in the country. Of course, it’s easier to boast explosive offensive numbers when Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis is behind center.

With former five-star Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff committed to Kentucky in the transfer portal, Coen will have another dynamic talent to run his offense next season. Nonetheless, fans would be naive to assume the 38-year-old OC won’t entertain outside offers.

More on Liam Coen’s outside offers

Ohio State is on the hunt for an offensive coordinator this offseason. Head coach Ryan Day has relieved his play-calling duties after a disappointing 11-2 season. Per Jones, Coen will be a legitimate option for the Buckeyes.

As for the Chicago Bears, the organization overhauled its coaching staff, opting to move on from OC Luke Getsy and multiple other assistants while retaining head coach Matt Eberflus. Per  CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, Coen is one of three reported candidates for the Bears’ offensive coordinator position.

Seattle Seahawks OC Shane Waldron was one of the first coaches to reportedly land an interview. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported that news hours after the team moved on from head coach Pete Carroll. Thursday night, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Chicago was also planning to interview San Francisco 49ers passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak, as well.