Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen is leaving for the NFL

Liam Coen will be the OC for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were looking for a new offensive coordinator after Dave Canales took the head coaching job for the Carolina Panthers. 

The Buccaneers plan to hire Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen to be their next offensive coordinator according to Ian Rapoport. Coen has bounced back and forth between the NFL and Lexington for the last few years, but he will make the move back to the pros. Coen is a really good offensive mind that, with the right quarterback, can run an excellent offense. Coen worked with current Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield last NFL season in Los Angeles with the Rams, so the two are familiar with one another. 

When it comes to Kentucky, Coen is leaving the Wildcats in a tough spot. Transfer quarterback Brock Vandagriff and Coen had already built a strong relationship and were eager to work with one another. It will be hard for Head Coach Mark Stoops to go get a solid offensive coordinator as most of the coaching shifts have already happened in college football. This is going to really hurt Kentucky as they scramble to find a new play caller, which won't be easy early into February. 

Coen was quoted saying a year ago he wanted to "go somewhere, make a real impact, plant some roots a little bit. Be somewhere for a few years, at least, that you feel good about." 

Coen clearly didn't stick with his word from a year ago, but when the NFL comes calling, it's a hard phone call not to take. The former Kentucky offensive coordinator will look to take the Buccaneers back to the playoffs in 2025.