Liam Coen plans to finish season with Rams "the right way"
Liam Coen provided an update on Liam Coen in a media scrum previewing the Rams’ upcoming matchup vs. the Packers on Monday Night Football.
Would he be leaving Los Angeles to take the offensive coordinator job at Kentucky? “No update right now,” Coen told reporters.
It certainly wasn’t a no. In fact, the first-year OC under Sean McVay made it very clear that conversations with the Kentucky football program were on the horizon — just not right away. For now, his focus is on closing out the regular season “the right way,” making good on the commitment he made to the franchise last offseason.
“The biggest thing is focusing on the season. That’s a conversation I’ll end up having with (Kentucky) at the end of the season,” Coen said. “The biggest thing is trying to do right by this place and finish this season off the right way. That’s the main focus, getting Baker (Mayfield) going, getting these guys ready and being there for these guys.”
Last week, ESPN insider Chris Mortensen — one of the most credible NFL reporters in the business — broke the news that Coen was set to return to Lexington after one year away from the program.
“Rams OC Liam Coen assisted in Baker Mayfield’s rushed prep for TNF dramatics but he is headed back to (Kentucky) as OC, (the) job he had in 2021,” Mortensen reported. “UK fans can relax.”
As one could imagine, several Rams players reached out to Coen shortly after the news broke asking for clarification. He addressed the situation with the curious parties and was met with professionalism and respect.
“One or two guys hit me up about it. They know there are always things that come out,” Coen added. “Whether I end up doing that or not, at the end of the day, these guys are professionals. They know the deal. I addressed it with a few guys I felt like I needed to address it with. Everybody is really respectful about these kinds of situations in this building. Everybody has been nothing but supportive.”
When asked about the possibility of Coen leaving after just one season in Los Angeles, Sean McVay acknowledged this past week that conversations had begun, but nothing was official quite yet. Should he choose to make that move, Coen would have his head coach’s complete support.
“We’ve talked about that being a possibility,” McVay said. “I don’t think anything’s official yet. If that’s the direction that he goes, he’ll do a great job, just like he did previously. He and I have a great relationship no matter how it ends up finishing up.”
McVay did, however, make it clear his expectation was that Coen would close out the season with the Rams, no matter what he ultimately decides to do.
“He’s going to do a great job finishing up the rest of this year. If that’s the direction that he chooses, then I know he’ll do an outstanding job there,” McVay added. “The focus and the concentration will be on this team, finishing out the season the right way.”
It appears Coen heard the message loud and clear.
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