Kentucky offensive line coach Zach Yenser: Wildcats offensive identity will not change
All signs point to Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen jumping back to the NFL. Despite this, offensive line coach Zach Yenser is confident that the offensive direction of the program will continue. Yenzer discussed Coen’s situation on Kentucky Sports Radio’s Sunday Morning Sports Talk. Kentucky’s spring football practices are set to begin March 1.
Yenser says in his conversations with Mark Stoops, the Kentucky head coach has made it clear that he’s “dedicated” to the pro-style offense. It’s why he recruited the former 49ers assistant to coach the Big Blue Wall.
“Obviously this offense is very intriguing,” Yenser said. “It’s very similar to what we were running at the Niners. This pro-style offense I think puts guys in great (opportunities) for success. I believe in this offense, and Liam obviously has done a great job running it. So I’m excited about that.”
Kentucky’s offense averaged 425.15 yards per game under Coen, the eighth-best tally in the SEC, as the Wildcats relied heavily on a well-balanced attack. Kentucky threw for 225.62 yards per contest, while rushing for 199.54 yards per game, the latter of which was the fifth-best total in the SEC. Overall, Kentucky, averaged 32.31 points per game under Coen, which was fifth-best in the SEC.
Until pen hits paper on a deal, Coen is moving forward with a “business as usual” approach in Lexington.
“I mean, obviously, people know with Liam and everything (being in talks with the Los Angeles Rams), we’re just business as usual (in Lexington),” Yenser said. “Liam’s here, we’re installing for spring ball, meet with the guys as much as we’re allowed to. That’s kind of how we’re approaching it right now as a staff.”
Coen, a former Rams assistant coach, would replace outgoing offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell in L.A. According to Matt Jones of Kentucky Sports Radio, his exit after just one season still had a positive reception from the Kentucky players; they understood Coen’s desire to take the NFL job.
Report: Sean McVay, LA Rams hire Liam Coen from Kentucky
Sean McVay was quick to replace former offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. O’Connell left L.A. to become head coach of the Minnesota Vikings last week. The Rams head coach went to the college ranks to hire Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen, per Albert Breer.
“Source: The Rams are hiring Kentucky OC Liam Coen as their new offensive coordinator, bringing Greg Olson back to the staff, and giving assistant head coach Thomas Brown more responsibility within the offense and team,” Breer wrote on Twitter.
Coen stepped into Kentucky’s offensive coordinator role in December of 2020. Unsurprisingly, it was McVay who hired him back. Coen served on the Rams staff prior to his arrival in Lexington.
Coen spent three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams before he took over Kentucky’s offense. He spent 2018 and 2019 as the assistant wide receivers coach, and in 2020, the assistant quarterbacks coach. In his time as wide receivers coach, Coen helped the Rams produce two receivers with over 1,000 receiving yards for two straight seasons, mentoring the likes of Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp and Brandin Cooks.
On3’s Simon Gibbs contributed to this report.