Kentucky QB Devin Leary: Bucs OC Liam Coen A 'Mastermind'

Devin Leary led the way for the Kentucky Wildcats this past season while playing under Liam Coen. Under Coen’s guidance, Leary threw for 25 touchdowns and is on the radar for being a Day 3 pick in the NFL Draft. He appreciates the opportunity he got to play under the Bucs’ new coordinator and spoke on what Tampa Bay is getting in the young coach.

“It was an awesome opportunity to learn under Coach Coen,” Leary said. “He really taught me a lot, especially from an NFL standpoint being able to see it at the most elite level. I think the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are getting a really good one. I know he’s going to bring his expertise, his mastermind of the offensive brain. I’m really excited to see what he does with them.”

Coen has worked under Sean McVay and the Rams, so he has learned a thing or two about running a successful NFL offense. In the film room, Leary mentioned that he was watching an offensive genius at work.

“I would just say his mastermind in the film room and the way that he could just get up and draw plays that he’s been thinking about all week that could help against a defense,” Leary said on Coen’s best attribute. “I think that’s really impressive when you sit in the film room and you watch him get up on the board. That was my biggest takeaway learning from him.”

Devin Leary Discusses Liam Coen Leaving Kentucky, Learning From Him

Liam Coen alternated between the Rams and the Wildcats from 2020-2023, having two stints with each. The chance to set some NFL roots and have the opportunity to call plays does not come around often, and Devin Leary said that offer was one that he couldn’t turn down.

That doesn’t mean he wasn’t surprised when Coen was hired by the Bucs.

“Honestly a little bit [surprised], but opportunities come up sometimes,” Leary said. “There are some you can’t necessarily turn down. I know he still has a lot of love for Kentucky, but it did take me by surprise.”

Having the playing experience at Kentucky could make him a potential option for Tampa Bay. Baker Mayfield is likely to return on a new deal, but that does not mean that they have not done their due diligence, as they formally met with Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy, Washington’s Michael Penix, Tulane’s Michael Pratt and South Carolina’s Spencer Rattler at the NFL Combine and informally with Leary.

Even if Mayfield returns and is backed up by Kyle Trask and/or John Wolford, having a guy like Leary does have some benefits. He would help aid the learning curve for each of them to adjust under Coen in bridging the terminology and all of the new plays that he has been busy drawing up. His pro-style system was something that helped him develop as a player.

“It was huge,” Leary added. “It definitely was a lot different than I was used to in the past. Being able to operate in that NFL pro-style system, learn from him from a verbal standpoint, and just learn from his terminology as well. Overall, it helped me develop as a quarterback and to where I am today.”