Mark Stoops (SEC Photo)
Was there a time last year when Mark Stoops realized that his offense needed a change? That was one of the first questions the Kentucky coach was asked during his turn at the Southeastern Conference Media Days Tuesday in Hoover, Alabama, and he didn’t try to sugarcoat his answer.
“That’s a fair question, an honest assessment. As we go through the season, you certainly look at all the things you’re doing good, and you want to continue to build on that and improve in the areas that you need to improve. The areas where you’re falling short, you have to address them,” Stoops said.
“So, yes, I can’t tell you the exact time or date, but there was certainly a time throughout the year that I know we needed to make some improvement in that area.”
That’s why offensive coordinator Eddie Gran was let go and Liam Coen brought in from the Los Angeles Rams to implement a more diversified offense. Coen is the fourth offensive coordinator Stoops has had in his nine seasons at Kentucky and the hope is he can expand the passing game this season.
“That’s a big reason why I hired Liam. It took me some time to clearly look at what I wanted our team to look like and what I felt like we can do. So I spent quite a bit of time researching people and systems and ultimately came down to Liam,” Stoops said.
“I have full confidence and trust in him, and that is part of his system, part of the offense to be able to play-action pass and get the ball down the field. I felt like this spring we got the ball down the field better than we have in years, so I feel very good about it.”
