Patriots Rumors: Local Product Floated As Head Coaching Candidate

The Patriots seem open to all options when it comes to finding their next head coach — including those with no prior experience.

Patriots owner Robert Kraft made the semi-surprising announcement that he would be moving on from head coach Jerod Mayo just hours following a season-ending victory against the Buffalo Bills. New England reportedly has eyes on one man in particular, but won’t make a hasty decision.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler believes one local product could make some noise during the search, however.

“This is also a chance for New England to talk with offensive-minded candidates to maximize (Patriots quarterback Drake) Maye,” Fowler wrote on Sunday. “Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Liam Coen, considered one of the rising candidates, has several New England ties — he grew up in Rhode Island, played at UMass and coached at Brown, UMass and Maine.”

Coen seemingly checks all the boxes, with his local ties just being the tip of the iceberg. The Patriots surely will like the fact that he previously coached under Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and has coordinated a top-three offense, too.

New England should be patient in exploring its options, but Coen is certainly one to keep an eye on.