Simple will mean more for Kentucky's offense in 2023

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Things were bad for Kentucky’s offense in 2022. There is no sugarcoating that. Kentucky could block and had an awful lot of difficulty executing simple assignments. Some of the shortcomings could be blamed on confusion. New offensive coordinator Liam Coen is hoping that more clear messaging can lead to a better product on the field.

The former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator wants to simplify Kentucky’s offensive approach this fall.

“Simplifying some of the protection schemes. Simplifying some of the run schemes. So that we can get really good at the things we want to major in,” Coen told reporters on Friday about correcting Kentucky’s offensive issues. “And then we can just have some wrinkles off of those protections or run plays to have some good things for game planning.”

Most importantly, Kentucky’s play-caller in 2021 does not want his 11 guys on the field to be bogged down with information overload. The Wildcats want to keep things as simple as possible.

“Just maybe a little too much sometimes in terms of in terms of just too much scheme. Sometimes as a coach, we feel as those that we got some injuries, we’ve got some things up front that might not be the same as they were the year before, and you try to fix it with scheme,” Coen said. And sometimes simplifying is actually better.”

“Just simplifying your basic schemes and protections while also giving the players the best chance at being successful.”

Keeping things simple and adjusting to the personnel on the roster appeared to be an issue for former Kentucky offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello. That will not be the case under Coen. Simple is a big buzzword for this offense as the Wildcats will be looking to play faster and with more confidence in 2023.

The hope is that less can lead to more points.