McVay’s future as Rams HC

[Karate61]

After this f'd up season, now we're gonna lose the face of our organization. Man, this blows!

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

Well.... I'm much more "concerned" about the potential of AD retiring than McVay. If McVay wants to walk away now, it's understandable. We've been a solid squad since he's been here, and we got a Super Bowl victory. I haven't been happy though with the predictability with our offense though, and just based on the fact that we've gotten stagnant on that side of the ball tell me that McVay may have lost some passion. Again, that's fine, and honestly there are some solid coaching candidates out there who I think could build a staff that would get us back in contention pretty quick. I like Harbaugh more than Payton. Never been a big Asshole Face fan...and he'd cost us a draft pick. The fact that he'd bring Fangio with him would be a plus. Harbaugh is a solid coach..his teams play hard nose football and he's developed some decent young coaches on his staff at Michigan recently. Wouldn't be a fan of hiring Morris, but I wouldn't hate it. I like David Shaw and I've thought for a minute he'd make a solid NFL coach. From our staff a couple of sleeper candidates would be Thomas Brown and Eric Henderson. Henderson is a real rising star.

At this point I don't think the annual speculation about McVay's future is a positive, so I'd actually be more than OK if he left. IF he wants to stay, we need some commitment going further, and I'll repeat the same thing I've said the last couple of offseasons. McVay needs to give up the play calling duties. Bring in Klingsberry as OC.....make Eric Henderson the DC, and reload the roster.

But at this point I'm actually ready for us to move on and excited at the possibility to get someone committed to sticking around.

 

[LA_Rams_#29]

That's some interesting reporting considering McVay has pretty much not blocked anyone from leaving before and we annually lose multiple coaches to other teams without him trying to stop them.

 

[yrba1]

That's some interesting reporting considering McVay has pretty much not blocked anyone from leaving before and we annually lose multiple coaches to other teams without him trying to stop them.

A speculative mind is an anxious mind, and contemporary media is good at exasperating those fears

 

[Selassie I]

I'd like to add this...

He needs some time off?! Please.

Not for nothing but he, and what looked like the majority of the rest of the team, already took most of this season off already.

That's the facts Jack.

 

[TSFH Fan]

I'm going to try to scribble a James Hetfield parallel and see how far it goes.

Hetfield at 38 was insanely successful and in the middle of putting together a new album in 2001 when he abruptly left the band for rehab. Alcohol was an issue, but life imbalance was a big problem:

On balancing METALLICA and family life following a stint in rehab during the recording of the 2003 album "St. Anger":

Hetfield: "Up to that point, METALLICA ruled everything in our lives and everything else was second. But that didn't make any sense anymore. We had to balance this correctly or else one was going to go away. So, obviously, my priorities have gotten in order. Family has gone way up on the ladder. . . "

It looks like McVay, 36, is facing the same thing - football rules everything in his life and everything else is second (see Wickersham article), but that doesn't make sense anymore (see picture of wife). He's risking losing one or the other and he's stated on the record that he still wants football.

Hetfield leaving the band in the middle of putting together an album caused bitterness. As I recall from the Some Kind of Monster documentary, Lars was a total dick about James' rehab, saying many of the things that people are saying on this board about McVay.

Asking for professional help was difficult:

Asked whether it was difficult to say to himself, "Look, things have gone too far for me, I need to reach out for help," James said: "Yes, it definitely was difficult. That was one of the most difficult things of all. I had no humility and I felt that I couldn't show any weakness. For me, I was James Hetfield of METALLICA rather than just James Hetfield. And I was trying to live that lifestyle at home, I was trying to wear that mask all the time. And it's amazing how long you can wear a mask for. . . There's a lot of machoism in this world

I'm guessing McVay actually saying he needs therapy is going to take some work - he's in a machoism world.

Hetfield described the rehab and dealing with balancing his life:

"But rehab is like college for your head," he continued. "I really learned some things about myself in there. I was able to reframe my life and not look at everything with a negative connotation. . . . My lifestyle has been very intense, and I didn't know how to remove myself from that. Rehab taught me how to do that. It basically taught me how to live.

McVay needs to learn to remove himself from football.
After 5 months, Hetfield rejoined the band and they finished the album. There were severe restrictions on his workload that just would not work for McVay, so it could take much longer than 5 months to find a solution for McVay, if one exists.

The band also had a separate performance coach/therapist named Phil Towle. The dude tried to help out with writing lyrics which looked cringey in the documentary. Towle got tons of ridicule for that and other stuff, but the band openly credits Phil Towle for saving them and keeping them together. Among Phil Towle's clients is Dick Vermeil

Dick Vermeil, Superbowl Winning Coach of St. Louis Rams​

"Phil has not only helped re-hone my leadership skills, but also helped me deal with my personal hangups... he's a winner!"

----------------------
Bottom line: McVay's issue isn't burnout, it's balance. Get him professional help, find a solution, then see if he can fit back in.

Links:

METALLICA's JAMES HETFIELD: 'I'm Not The Most Social Guy You'll Meet'

Paul Liberatore of the Marin Independent Journal conducted an interview with METALLICA guitarist/vocalist James Hetfield ahead of the band's performance tonight (Friday, September 11) at a benefit in Northern California. A few excerpts from the chat follow below. On METALLICA's first hometown...

blabbermouth.net

LARS ULRICH Opens Up About JAMES HETFIELD's Return To Rehab, Says METALLICA Is 'In A Very Healthy Place' Right Now

METALLICA drummer Lars Ulrich has opened up about what it was like seeing James Hetfield re-enter a treatment program to work on his recovery from alcohol addiction. The METALLICA frontman went back to rehab in September 2019, forcing the postponement of the band's tour of Australia and New...

blabbermouth.net

Mentoring Human Excellence

philtowle.com

 

[FarNorth]

Yeah, I don't see how merely taking a break would work either, and have a feeling that talk is mostly a cope. I get it, people don't want to lose him, but if he doesn't coach the Rams next year, I think the franchise has to move on as if he's done coaching here for good. Otherwise, you've left the fans and players in a season of limbo. And when you have guys like Stafford and Donald who are getting up there in years, a year in limbo like that is wasting a significant amount of the time they have left.

Agree. Don't see how taking a year off really works even if both sides want it to. It puts lots of people, if not everyone, in an impossible position. Meanwhile the horses-- i.e. coaches-- are leaving the barn. Someone has to really be put in charge as soon as possible.

In effect, the rebuild is starting already. As it needs to. I for one think it had to happen even if McVay stays, and this may well be another reason he is leaving. But now the coaches may likely leave as well. They may have to do so to protect themselves. A new coach will want his own team. And after a terrible season, who is safe anyway? And what about the players? They will not want a year of interim coaching and uncertainty.

You can't really bring in an interim coach with no authority. He has to hire people, decide who plays, what the system is going to be. Can't do it on a one year basis. Can't really have McVay do it for someone else before walking away. Everyone is left in limbo unless the coach has authority to rebuild both the coaching staff and the team. Starting immediately. Not least, the 5-12 Rams urgently need the rebuild to start now, not in a year.

In addition, while a year off might help McVay, Rams have no means of which I am aware to guarantee that he would actually return. He could retire for another year if he wants. And what if after a year they don't want him back? Maybe the new coach is good, the team is successful, and going back to McVay doesn't seem so great an idea?

Maybe this could be made to work if some like Morris was named interim coach, but why would he or anyone take such a position? Seems like being asked to clean up some else's mess without the actual authority to fix it.

 

[OldSchool]

He only ever has once in all the coaches who have moved on.

 

[RamUK]

if he steps away he will feel immediately relieved.

but then after a couple of months pass and football starts again - he going to regret it

I hope someone is telling him this.

100% agree. He's not going to be happy watching in.

I hope for the long term stability of his marriage he's not feeling pressured to do it for her sake either.

 

[AllGasNoBrakes]

I see many of you are in denial about McVay’s future with the team. Soon, when the news is announced that he is in fact stepping away, that denial will turn into anger. Those of you in denial right now will lash out at McVay for “running away” from the team when it is getting hard or for “throwing away our future” to get his and get out.

These comments will be rooted in anger and couldn’t be further from the truth.

McVay is a 110%, all-in type of individual. Especially when it comes to his life’s passion - football. He has burned both ends of the candle for 6 years straight and is simply all burned out. It is written all over his face.

In his tenure, not only has he had to manage superstars (who come with superstar egos) but he has also consistently had his coaching staff poached year after year. The guy is only 36 years old. After 6 straight years your rolodex of people you trust to coach alongside you starts to dwindle. He needs time away to make new connections, redesign his theories/concepts, and take a step back to gain new perspective on evaluating himself and the future of the league. He has earned this time off and I trust he will use it wisely.

With that being said, I am also in the camp that he will be back. Coaching in the NFL becomes an addiction. Why else would 70+ year old men still clock 14-16 hour days 6-7 days a week? Winning as a coach in the NFL is a drug and, like any true addict, McVay will be back chasing the dragon. But next time he will be refreshed, revamped and reenergized.

So, before you start accusing McVay of the worst, put yourself in his shoes. He is not abandoning the team. He simply knows he needs time away before he can pour 110% of himself into his team once again. That is just who he is.

While we wait, let’s reflect on the success McVay has brought to our beloved Rams. In just 6 years he has accomplished the following:

Back to Back NFC West Champs in his first 2 years
3x NFC West Champs
2x NFC Conference Champs
2x SuperBowl Appearances
1x NFL Coach of the Year
1x SuperBowl Champion
Youngest EVER to lead his team to SuperBowl victory
Four coaching assistants named as NFL head coaches (LaFleur, Taylor, Staley, O’Connell)
60-38 Regular Season Record
7-3 Post Season Record

The 1st McVay Era has been a thrilling ride. I eagerly await the 2nd one. Good luck to you coach, you have earned any time off that you need. You will always have a fan in me.

 

[So Ram]

He only ever has once in all the coaches who have moved on.

What Old school? Once ?

I Get it & understand it! The fact is it is no difference between players & coaches!!

That actually is The Rams moto?

So F” this post until it is SOMETHING?

I posted about SJ39 & Todd Gurley as players. I still believe I was right.

Now IF I SAY SEAN MCVAY F”@“d The Rams for his future & his selfish ways.

Would I be WRONG? I don’t any of this is TRUE!!

When Stupid Ram actually wants to state what is true.
1.. A black coach- yeah ask the Niners about what The NFL & NINERS means. Talk about BS COMP FREAKING PICKs.
Tua is a JOKE !! yeah #3 Tre Lance LMAAO!! I mean whatever? There is list . I’ll stick to INTEGRITY & Andrew Luck!!

Whatever once again I can get into it,especially when Freaking Sean Mcvay (loser to & DICK V!) quotes Tom Brady & family?

I’ll just leave it to The Love of FOOTBALL & appreciate The GOAT for NOW!! Hope (maybe wager against) that dumb AZZ HC of Miami if we talk about the Bay Area or anything lose.

Just really upset about all the non-sense.

We can talk about Lefty & Brett Farve & Sports? When people post about BS & The Rams & what is right ? I can say The Move wasn’t right of how it went down.When you put politics into it & court ? Well is resolves itself ?

There are many ways of looking at things ,but as a RAMS FAN I BELIEVE that things are alright & however it all works out things will be alright:

Weather Mcvay goes or there is a change of The HC is what it is. Add Kevin Demoff & Les Snead will do WHAT IS BEST 4 THE RAMS!! ED29 is still apart of this & is a RAM FOREVER!! F “””” JF!!! The Front office is 4 RAMS FANS!!!

I can go on & as I always say Whose House (Georgia’s) House ?? Stan House Lmao!!

The Rams are in a good space. If Sean Mcvay leaves his INTRIGUED goes to The Dumpster! Everohe is & has been goes to CRAP!!

IMO Sean Mcvay has always walk the walk & talk the talk. Weather anyone wants to believe him.(has it right) can judge themselves.

I say Raheem Morris is a black coach that deserves a chance & is part of The NFL protocol! Add The Rams OC had the Kentucky job all ready in hand & except The Job! He just wanted tonFinish his Rams comment STRONG & that I word!!!

I think things get over looked.
Kevin O’Connell did what this season & his job status for staying as a OC???

Have to LOL!! Only because I think people don’t understand or respect who SEAN MVCVAY is or what he has ALWAYS represented as a NFK(RAM) HC!! I posted about how quickly Bill Belacheat took to coming back for another season. He gets respect & understands The (freaking) Media. If ever you Tdust them then there you have it & appreciate false news.
I can get political & talk about JOKES & how The Truth is over looked & when justice is not served & when ??
Whatever?? To say Sean Mcvay doesn’t have a fight in Life & The world Views is actually a understatement. To take away funding or figuring out Cap Space for who deserves it??
There is so much out there.

What I’ll finish with is a quote that Sean Mcvay has said a couple times & a lot of Rams players believe. GOD IS GREAT!! Jalen & Kupp are a couple of players that believe in. Sean Mcvay IMO believes that is true.

 

[So Ram]

He only ever has once in all the coaches who have moved on.

Kevin O’Connell for Staley ?

 

[So Ram]

Yea not good.

Yeah - JUST LIKE TCU !!! Score board

 

[So Ram]

Why CREATE YOUR OWN POST ? Wtf ??’
Yeah ok

 

[ScotsRam]

With respect, what is this new thread adding to the discussion versus having it in the several existing threads about this same topic?

 

[CGI_Ram]

Why CREATE YOUR OWN POST ? Wtf ??’
Yeah ok

With respect, what is this new thread adding to the discussion versus having it in the several existing threads about this same topic?

Merged.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

We not me.

You're either all in or

.

 

[kurtfaulk]

.

That message was to coaches and players because it never looked like anyone was all in this season.

.

 

[CGI_Ram]

No images of McVay in this thank you message to fans.

For Rams fans, * everything seems about McVay right now *.


View: https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1612950035448139776?s=61&t=Y7rsF-OOS4X5AaMN5NllIw

 

[CGI_Ram]

This ought to go over well. More from Mike Florio.


View: https://twitter.com/ftbeard7/status/1612251319431237632?s=61&t=OShgqkp4ueYfN4gyaO50cg