'Very big deal': Return of Liam Coen gives the Kentucky offense some needed juice

Kentucky’s offense needs saving. Mark Stoops is going back to a familiar face in year 11 in Lexington. The Wildcats are hopeful that this re-marriage can lead to big results quickly.

Former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Liam Coen has returned to the SEC after one season with the coordinator title in the NFC West. The last time we saw the 37-year-old play-caller in the SEC he was leading a top-25 Kentucky offense that ranked No. 5 nationally in success rate (51.1%), No. 15 in points per drive (2.94), and No. 21 in yards per play (6.4). Stoops is hoping that success returns despite having likely first-year transfer starters plugged in at quarterback, tailback, left tackle, and right tackle.

“Bringing Liam back, a very big deal for us. You go back a couple years ago and you see the immediate impact that he had with our offense and the energy and the juice that he had within our building, but he was still at that point relatively unproven,” Stoops said on Wednesday at SEC Media Days in Nashville. “He had been a tremendous coach but had not called plays in the SEC or in the Power Five, but came in and did that and did a heck of a job. And that catapulted him to being named offensive coordinator of the defending world champions in L.A. Then it worked out to be able to bring him back this past year. Very excited about that. I think we both have a lot of trust and belief in each other and confidence in each other, but that doesn’t make it any easier. There’s still a lot of work to be done, but there is some familiarity with each of us, and I think that helps.”

“I think there is great familiarity with the two of us. I think with him coming back, he knew what to expect from me. I knew what to expect from him. I think the difference is there’s a confidence level. Again, that doesn’t mean it’s just going to happen or it’s going to be easy, but Liam is much more proven at this point than he was when he came in the first time. That’s the difference, so I think the confidence level is there.”

That belief and workplace continuity will be important. Despite having some intriguing personnel, there are a lot of unknowns with the Kentucky offense. Will transfer Marques Cox and Courtland Ford provide immediate pass protection upgrades? Can Kentucky find the right blend at tailback? Can Devin Leary stay healthy for a full season? Will Barion Brown, Dane Key, and Jordan Dingle all avoid sophomore slumps? Will Coen’s offense succeed without one of the best run-blocking offensive lines in college football?

Those are all potential concerns that will not get figured out until the season begins. However, the vibes are good at the Joe Craft Football Training Facility. Coen’s return has given the coaching staff some confidence and that is the same in the locker room. The players are excited to be back in Coen’s scheme and expect some big results in 2023. Coen gets the ball to the playmakers and everything else takes care of itself.

“I think he brings an ability to get our play-makers the ball in good situations. He puts them in matches that they know they can win,” Kentucky guard Eli Cox told the media on Wednesday. “He gives them the confidence that when the ball is in their hands, they’ll do something special.”

In 2021, Coen highlighted Wan’Dale Robinson early and often. The slot wideout was the engine of Kentucky’s offense recording 104 receptions, 1,334 yards, and seven touchdowns on 146 targets. Robinson was prominently featured, and that led to big results. We should see a more even split between Brown and Key this season, but the best players will get the ball.

Coen is bringing a proven scheme to Lexington that meshes well with Mark Stoops’ preferred physical, ball-control offense. The coordinator has weapons at his disposal and that could lead to a resurgence for Kentucky after a bad season. UK’s head coach is not hiding his excitement for the potential splash season from his offense.

“I think, obviously, the first thing that I get asked a lot about is bringing back Liam Coen,” Stoops said. “And believe me, very excited about that.”