Well, that’s something. NewOrleans.Football’s Nick Underhill reports that the Saints had Kentucky Wildcats offensive coordinator Liam Coen “in the mix” for the same job on their staff, though they did not ultimately offer him a contract. Instead, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports, Coen has an opportunity for a return to the Los Angeles Rams as their new offensive coordinator. He’s worked with Sean McVay before as quarterbacks coach.
Coen put himself on the college football map last season by spearheading Kentucky’s 10-3 run, designing an offense with wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and running back Christopher Rodriguez Jr. leading the way — they each racked up more than 1,400 yards from scrimmage and scored a combined 20 touchdowns. That’s exactly the sort of tandem production you’d hope he could implement with Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara, which helps explain the Saints’ interest in him.
But that’s not going to happen now that the team has decided to settle with Pete Carmichael as offensive coordinator. Carmichael has split time calling plays with Sean Payton throughout his 12-year tenure as offensive coordinator, and now he’s got a shot to do it all himself. And that raises its own questions. We know he can call an effective game plan, but how much responsibility has he had in designing plays and marshalling position coaches?
Those are all concerns the Saints had to have been asking during interviews, but they won’t get real answers for until the season starts. Even if he’s only done it at the college level, at least Coen could say that he did have that proven experience. Unfortunately, he’s not in New Orleans’ plans now. And there’s a real possibility he ends up joining an NFC rival who just won the Super Bowl.
