Mark Stoops: Kentucky OC Liam Coen will be back in normal capacity Saturday

After suffering a ‘medical episode’ that sent him to the hospital earlier this week, Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen will be back coaching the team on Saturday, head coach Mark Stoops said on Wednesday. Speaking on the SEC coaches teleconference, Stoops declined to offer much detail about what happened.

While it will ultimately be Coen’s decision to share the particulars of what happened, something Stoops wanted to respect, the head coach is glad about one aspect of the whole episode: It happened with doctors and trainers around.

“Fortunately, things happened while we’re in work hours and a lot of people were around and our trainer and doctors were here on Sunday morning checking on our players as we were up watching the film,” Stoops said.

It was an eye-opening and startling event, but one that Stoops is glad Coen will pull through.

“Liam will be back in his normal capacity, which we’re just very grateful. I will refrain from saying too much. I’m sure Liam will tell the story as he wishes. I just want to respect him in that way. But yes, it was most definitely a scary situation any time you see any of our people you work with or anybody that you’re close too going through any type of medical situation. It’s challenging,” Stoops said.

Kentucky hosts Akron on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST.

And true to his word and usual brief self, Stoops left it at that.

“That’s about all I really want to say about it,” he said.

Coen stated his intention to coach from the sidelines on Saturday

On Tuesday, Coen spoke out for the first time on his status.

Coen shared a tweet that thanked the community around the University of Kentucky for their support and well wishes as well as the medical personnel at UK Chandler Hospital. At the end, he confirmed that he will return to Kroger Field on Saturday for the Wildcat’s game against Akron.

My family and I thank you for all the support and prayers these past couple of days. The #BBN community is truly amazing. I’m doing much better, thankful for the care I received at UK Chandler Hospital, and can’t wait to see you Saturday at Kroger Field — Go Cats!

— Liam Coen (@LiamCoen) September 12, 2023

KSR since confirmed with the University of Kentucky that the hospital has discharged Coen.

UK’s athletic department shared a statement on Sunday regarding the incident that Coen had at the program’s facility which sent him to the hospital.

Then on Monday Stoops addressed the matter briefly at his press conference.

“It’s been a challenging day or so for us. We will continue to push forward as always,” Stoops said. “I think the prognosis of things looks good with the people in our office. I’ll leave it at that on that subject.”