Tampa Bay Buccaneers will interview Liam Coen on Thursday

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator search is moving with good pace. Shortly after losing offensive coordinator Dave Canales to the Carolina Panthers, head coach Todd Bowles is on the hunt for a third offensive coordinator in three years. The NFC South franchise with three consecutive division titles will host two candidates on Thursday.

Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times is reporting that the Bucs will interview Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen and Los Angeles Rams passing game specialist Jake Peetz.

The Bucs have two intriguing interviews for offensive coordinator today, both having worked with Baker Mayfield during his short stint with the Rams. First up is Rams passing game specialist Jake Peetz followed by Kentucky OC Liam Coen. Mayfield signing off on guys he’s worked…

— Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) February 1, 2024

Why are these two names notable? Both are branches of the Sean McVay coaching tree and each worked with Baker Mayfield during his short stint with the Rams during the 2022 season. After inking a one-year deal with the Bucs, the former No. 1 overall pick had a career year in 2023 setting career-high numbers in passing yards (4,044), passing attempts (566), completion percentage (64.3%), and passing touchdowns (28). The Bucs are looking to build some stability around Mayfield as the franchise attempts to make another run at a division title.

Coen and Peetz spent one year on the same staff in 2022. In 2021, the two faced off as offensive coordinators in the SEC. In Kentucky’s 42-21 victory over LSU, Coen’s offense rolled up 42 points and 7.7 yards per play in the huge home win for the Wildcats at Kroger Field.

Now the two are candidates for an NFL offensive coordinator gig. The coaching carousel has not stopped spinning.

In his second tour of duty at Kentucky, Liam Coen’s offense finished the 2023 season ranked No. 23 in red zone touchdown percentage, No. 40 in yards per play, and No. 51 in points per drive. All improvements from 2022. Efficiency was a significant issue for the offense, but Kentucky had knockout power in the explosive play department.

The play-caller played a major role on the recruiting trail helping the program sign Cutter Boley, Brock Vandagriff, Ja’Mori Maclin, and others this past recruiting cycle. Losing him after another one-and-done stint could be a significant step back for the program.

Stay locked in with KSR as we closely follow this situation and what is happening with the Boston College search.