NFL Coaching Changes Tracker: The Sean McVay Effect Continues to Help Rams Coaches Land Bigger Gigs, Liam Coen Being the Latest

The Buccaneers have zeroed in on their new OC! The team made it to the playoffs this season. Many had thought that with Tom Brady out of the team, their wins would stop as well. But that didn’t happen. They won the Wild Card round. But unfortunately, they were stopped short by the Lions in the Divisional Round.

Now the franchise is looking to make amends. Dave Canales was their last OC. And he had just spent one season with the team. Now their head hunting for a new OC seems to be drawing to a close.

Liam Coen to be the new Buccaneers OC?

Tampa Bay had their sights set on Liam Coen for the OC position. You know, the same coach who’s been on a ping-pong journey between the University of Kentucky and the Los Angeles Rams. He kicked off his coaching stints under Sean McVay in L.A. for three seasons. Then took a college detour as the Wildcats’ OC in 2021. After a quick college timeout, he sprinted back to L.A. as the Rams’ OC in 2022. However, he pulled a 180 in 2023 and returned to Kentucky as the OC and QB’s coach.

Now, here’s the twist. Coen’s reunion with the Rams in 2022 could spell good news for Baker Mayfield and the Bucs. Mayfield spent a solid five games in 2022 under McVay and Coen previously. So, he’s already familiar with Coen and his playing style. Fast forward to 2023, he jumped ship to Tampa, where he played a key role in snagging an NFC South title and a postseason victory. Looks like Coen and Mayfield might be up for a reunion!

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Coen is just another of the Sean McVay tree to have graduated from working under his wing to a full-fledged coaching role. And if you’ve been a fan long enough, you’d know this is the “Sean McVay Effect”.

The “Sean McVay Effect”?

In the world of NFL coaching, age is just a number. And Sean McVay proved that at only 37 when he became the league’s youngest coach ever. Hot on his heels was Kyle Shanahan, hired in the same year. But their impact extends far beyond their youth, creating mighty coaching trees that have reshaped the league. Successful coaches often see their talented coordinators plucked for head coaching roles. And McVay and Shanahan pretty much are the flag-bearers of this trend.

The Rams have witnessed a parade of coaches leaving. Only to shine brightly in their new leadership roles, that is. Notable names like Matt LaFleur, Zac Taylor, and Brandon Staley are some branches of this tree. The common thread? They all took the reins of head coaching roles before hitting 40.

This youth movement earned the moniker “Sean McVay Effect.” And the results speak for themselves. A majority of these coaches achieved remarkable success early in their coaching careers. The NFL’s coaching landscape is changing, and McVay and his mentees are at the forefront of this wave of young coaches.

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