Buccaneers' HC Speaks on Departure of Dave Canales, Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going through some changes as every team tends to do once one season ends and another begins. One of the changes and challenges the Buccaneers will have to face is the incorporation of a new offensive coordinator following the departure of Dave Canales, who left to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
Canales, as mentioned, departed his gig as the Buccaneers' OC after just his first season in such a role. Canales came in and created a culture within the Bucs' offense and helped Baker Mayfield re-find his love for the game. The Bucs went on an exhaustive search to replace Canales and wound up hiring former Kentucky and Los Angeles Rams OC Liam Coen to fill the open role.
Things aren't expected to change much with the move from Canales to Liam as they both share a similar mindset when running an offense and Liam's prior connection to QB Baker Mayfield also comes in handy.
On Tuesday, Buccaneers' head coach Todd Bowles spoke on the departure of Canales along with the addition of Coen to the staff during an interview on Good Morning Football from the 2024 NFL Combine in Indianapolis.
“I had no history with Liam just like I had no history with Dave. The fact that I was sulking over Dave getting a job for a few days, Sean Payton put it in perspective for me, he said, “At least you know you’re picking the right guys.” We go through a lengthy process and we try not to pick just the name guys but we try to pick the best guy and the best fit. I liked Liam a couple of years ago. I think when he went to the Rams back from Kentucky and his name came up, we interviewed a lot of guys, a lot of qualified candidates, and Liam best fit not just what we do for the team but what we are in the building. The culture we're trying to represent and the coaching style he has and the intelligence he has fits with the other coaches and blends that way. So, I’m very excited for him.”
Clearly, from Bowles' perspective, the main objective was finding the right guy to continue building on what Canales had established in 2023 following the era of Tom Brady and Byron Leftwich. Canales didn't always have it easy, but if the Buccaneers and Liam Coen can continue to build off what Canales laid down then the offense should be able to excel come 2024.
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