The Los Angeles Rams endured a 2022 season that they will look to leave in the rearview, finishing 5-12 and missing the playoffs after winning Super Bowl LVI.
It’s the worst regular season mark for a defending Super Bowl champion, something that head coach Sean McVay called a professional failure on his part. Now the offseason brings plenty of questions, with McVay’s own immediate future in doubt as he has publicly said he’ll take time to decide if he’ll step away or return for the 2023 season.
Even if McVay does ultimately return, he’ll have to replace members of his coaching staff once again. For the second consecutive season, McVay will need to find a new offensive coordinator as Liam Coen is returning back to the University of Kentucky to serve as their offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach.
The move was rumored for a while, but the university finally made the announcement recently. Coen expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and also made sure to thank McVay in his statement, via University of Kentucky:
“Ashley and I are thrilled to be back in Lexington” Coen said. “I want to thank Coach Stoops and Mitch Barnhart for the amazing opportunity. I also want to thank Coach McVay for his mentorship and guidance and the Rams organization for their support throughout this process. I can’t wait to get to work in helping lead the UK offense and bring a championship to Big Blue Nation!”
Coen was whisked back to Kentucky with a three-year deal after spending just one year alongside McVay helping with the Rams’ offensive gameplan. The two had worked previously together in Los Angeles, with Coen working as the assistant wide receivers coach and then the assistant quarterbacks coach from 2018-2020.
Aside from Coen, McVay would also potentially need to replace defensive coordinator Raheem Morris who is set to interview with the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. Losing Morris would be another big blow for the Rams as he was the one who led the defense during their Super Bowl VLI run.
Right now, it feels like Los Angeles is in a state of flux considering how many moving parts there are along the coaching staff. Perhaps all this uncertainty forces McVay to step away, but it’s too early to say. For now, the organization has to hope that McVay returns and he is able to find capable candidates to fill the vacancies on his staff for the 2023 season.
