By Ross Jackson
The search for the New Orleans Saints’ next head coach is going to be picking up steam over the coming weeks with the 2024 NFL regular season wrapping up this weekend.
In their season finale, the Saints will travel to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Beyond the spreads, the Bucs’ win-and-in scenario and the Saints’ attempt to continue evaluating their young talent, New Orleans will be playing for an even bigger purpose in Week 18: the future.
While he isn’t one of the biggest names in the league’s 2025 cycle, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen could be a part of that future, and New Orleans has one more chance to show what they’ve got right in front of him.
Coen has been outstanding for the Buccaneers this year, leading the team to fielding both a top five passing offense (No. 3) and rushing offense (No. 4).
He has also done an outstanding job in the further development of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who on Sunday could become the third quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 4,000 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns and finish the season with a completion percentage of 70% or more. He would then join New York Jets passer Aaron Rodgers (2020) and Saints legend Drew Brees (2011).
Coen is an under-the-radar name to watch for the Saints as he could follow in last year’s Tampa offensive coordinator’s shoes. Dave Canales leapt across the division last offseason from the Buccaneers to take the head coaching job with the Carolina Panthers. While that transition got off to a rocky start, Canales is presently making good progress on his goals to develop young signal caller Bryce Young.
Coen could make a similar leap with the chance to work with Derek Carr or help develop Spencer Rattler in his second year. Perhaps Coen could push for the passer of his choosing in the near future.
The Saints organization has proven to be a patient one, even in times where many think they should not be. That’s a comfortable situation for a first-time head coach that could bring with him an effective offensive scheme and growth potential for your young talent. Pair him with a veteran defensive coordinator like Robert Saleh, and things could begin to take shape quickly.
A recent report suggested that Saints general manager Mickey Loomis is expected to go with a head coaching candidate “he knows.” Coen checks that box. Per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football, Coen was “in the mix” for the Saints’ offensive coordinator job back in 2022 before he returned to the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff.
The caveat being that the report also says that Coen was not offered the job. But his resume is a lot stronger now than it was in 2022, so things could change in terms of his desirability. Either way, the Saints have a chance to get another up-close-and-personal look at his offense, which put up 44 points (plus a defensive touchdown to get to 51 as a team) in the first meeting between these divisional foes. Simultaneously, New Orleans could have a chance to show Coen what young talent it has and where there is room for improvement.
A potential audition could take place for both sides on Sunday.
