Liam Coen Seeking Connection From Offensive Line to Remedy 2022 Woes
LEXINGTON, Ky. —When Kentucky offensive coordinator Liam Coen spoke to reporters via Zoom for his re-introductory press conference back in January, he made no bones about addressing the issues that plagued the Wildcats on the offensive line in 2022.
"That's the number one priority when we get there, diving into that position group. Personnel wise, schematically, fundamentally, technique, attitude, demeanor, all of that needs to get dove into really quickly when we get there," he said.
When Coen was in Lexington in 2021, the Big Blue Wall was an area that he never had to fret over, mainly because it had future NFL players Luke Fortner and Darian Kinnard manning the trenches, making things look easy.
Upon his departure back to Los Angeles to become OC of the Rams, the sturdiness that had become a mainstay for the Cats vanished. Fortner, Kinnard and veteran tackle Dare Rosenthal ventured onward, but the replacements were supremely subpar, leading to a noticeable difference on the field.
"I do remember, the first time that I came (to Kentucky), that was kind of the unit that I never really worried about," Coen said. "I never really worried about if they were going to come to play. I never worried about third and one not getting a first down. It was never something that crossed my mind when I got there."
Kentucky QBs were sacked 47 times in 2022, the third most of any team in the nation. In one season away from the Bluegrass, Coen witnessed the position group that was the least of his worries, become the biggest. Patching the holes that had emerged became a must.
"It's a room, it's a unit that we need to address and address quickly when we get there. Because really, the offensive line, if you think about it, that's more than a third of your unit on a play-to-play basis. And if those five aren't on the same page, don't have the right mentality, or aren't doing what they're supposed to do, it's really hard to have success as an offense no matter who's around them," he said.
Fast forward to this spring, and Coen is already tweaking. Four of the five Cats that started a majority of the games on the line are back in 2023, but there's also two new additions.
After excelling at guard in 2021, Eli Cox was moved to center, where he struggled at times last season. Veteran Kenneth Horsey also moved away from his traditional spot at guard, playing left tackle, where again, the drop-off was noticeable.
Lexington native Jager Burton had growing pains at guard as a freshman, while Jeremy Flax struggled to stay healthy and consistent at right tackle. Instead of trying to fit a square peg in a round hole, Coen is using the spring to experiment.
"I think we're moving a few guys around a little bit, just to try some different things. Eli, I thought played really well in 2021 at guard a lot of the times, and you look at some of the things Jager can do athletically, and you might be able to get some reps for those guys playing in different spots, which helps," Coen said.
One of the transfer portal newcomers is senior LT Marques Cox out of Northern Illinois, a veteran who has made over 30 starts at the position he'll man for UK. His presence allows Horsey to move back to guard, a move that makes perfect sense for the growth of the offense.
"It's nice to get Horsey playing back at his position that he's familiar with," Coen added. "So, that really helps and Marques Cox has been a nice addition so far."
Senior Alabama transfer Tanner Bowles out of Glasgow, Ky. is also now in the mix, seeking a spot somewhere in the trenches. He played snaps at all five spots on the line during his time in Tuscaloosa, meaning he can plug in anywhere.
In general, the line will feature much more depth than it did a season ago. It's now about finding the right group of five to try and get the Big Blue Wall back to the powerhouse that it has been through a majority of Stoops' tenure.
Coen has wasted no time trying to find remedies:
"Really, it's the connection, the communication, playing as one, playing together, being on the same page. If we make a mistake, we make it full speed. We're trying to just slow ourselves down a little bit upfront," he said. We still want to come off the rock and be physical, but we're also trying to just slow ourselves down, being able to get our second step in the ground and be able to see that movement that so often last year we struggled with."
Five things you need to know from Mark Stoops' opening spring presser HERE.
Devin Leary discusses his decision to transfer to Kentucky HERE.
Ray Davis isn't following former Kentucky RB's footsteps. More HERE.
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