Rams 2023 coaching changes

  • To unlock all of features of Rams On Demand please take a brief moment to register. Registering is not only quick and easy, it also allows you access to additional features such as live chat, private messaging, and a host of other apps exclusive to Rams On Demand.

blackbart

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
6,225
Name
Tim
Well I’ll give you that. I saw Jack Synder in training camp & said he was better than Bruss.
I’m sort of excited to see Snyder in the USFL league. He was a 1st rd pick I believe?
I said also that there was disconnect with the O”Lineman.
Well no wonder Carberry is gone. He should have listened to you.
 

LA_Rams_#29

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Apr 15, 2017
Messages
1,235
Name
LA Rams 29
First off, I'm not a huge fan of Jay Gruden, however, I would be shocked if Gruden accepted a role where he does not have play calling duties as an OC. Now, if he has not other option I can see this, but if he wants another shot at a Head Coaching gig, he'll have to call plays IMHO.

particularly if Olsen is gone, I could see Gruden step in as QB coach. He's working his way back into being considered as a head coach down the road and I don't think he's necessarily in a hurry to become a play caller. McVay, LeFluer, Gruden, Brown, Yarber....you get a solid TE and O-line coach.... that's a group that can get our Offense back going.
 

BonifayRam

Legend
Joined
Jan 14, 2013
Messages
13,435
Name
Vernon

The Los Angeles Rams are once again undergoing a makeover with their coaching staff. We know that Sean McVay is back, we know that he’s hired a new offensive coordinator to replace Liam Coen, we know that he’s parted ways with at least a half-dozen other assistants. There’s so much we don’t know, so let’s review who is here and what jobs are needed, as well as who could still leave.

Head Coach - Sean McVay, 7th season​

After much speculation that McVay would step down after six seasons, the head coach took a few days after the season to think it over and ultimately decided to come back for year seven. This shows confidence by McVay that the Rams are not finished with their championship window and that implies that the team will be active as buyers, not sellers. Unless McVay is interested in being part of a longer plan, which we should find out soon based on how L.A. plays the trade market, then expect the Rams to move forward like Super Bowl contenders again.

Offensive Coordinator - Mike LaFleur, 1st season​

LaFleur spent the 2021 and 2022 seasons as the New York Jets offensive coordinator following a long career working as an assistant for Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco and Washington. LaFleur’s Jets were among the worst offenses in the NFL, but Matthew Stafford and Cooper Kupp are far more established than Zach Wilson and most of what New York had at wide receiver.

Assistant Head Coach - Thomas Brown, 4th season​

Brown is officially listed as the tight ends coach as well, but he took over for Ra’Shaad Samples as running backs coach in the middle of the 2022 season. Whether Brown will hold that title again in 2023 remains to be seen and he’s interviewed for both head coaching and offensive coordinator roles with other teams in the last two years. Expect Brown to stay on as assistant head coach unless he leaves, whereas his position group is yet to be established. Brown played running back with the Falcons and Browns from 2008-2010 and worked with some high-profile backs at Georgia.

Quarterbacks/Pass Coordinator - Zac Robinson, 5th season​

Robinson got a major promotion in 2022, going from assistant QBs coach to the main QBs coach and the pass game coordinator. He has interviewed as the offensive coordinator for the Chargers, a job he did not get, and it remains to be seen if he will retain these titles in L.A. after the Rams finished 27th in passing yards, 29th in net yards per attempt, and 28th in passing touchdowns. Even when Matthew Stafford was healthy, the passing offense was among the worst in the NFL. Robinson is a former college quarterback who was on the rosters of the Patriots, Seahawks, Lions, and Bengals from 2010-2013.

Wide Receivers - Eric Yarber, 7th season​

Yarber is one of the few to survive/not be promoted during McVay’s entire tenure with the Rams. The 59-year-old who played for Washington from 1986-1987 has been a coach at the college or NFL level since 1996. He met Sean McVay during their time on the Buccaneers, then spent five seasons as receivers coach at UCLA prior to coming to the Rams. He’s been the wide receivers coach the entire time.

Senior Offensive Assistant - Greg Olson, 2nd season​

A veteran offensive coordinator, he also met McVay on the Bucs. Olson has been the OC for the Lions, Rams (2006-2007), Bucs, Raiders, Jaguars, and Raiders (again) prior to joining the Rams after Jon Gruden was fired from Las Vegas in 2021. Olson interviewed for the Chargers job and whether he returns to McVay’s staff or not is uncertain.

Offensive Assistant - Jay Gruden, 2nd season​

A former quarterback and the brother of Jon Gruden, Jay was Washington’s head coach from 2014 to 2019, then he spent 2020 as the Jags offensive coordinator. He joined the Rams as a consultant last year and what impact he had is unclear, as is his future in the NFL.

Offensive Assistant - Jake Peetz, 2nd season​

Peetz held various assistant roles in college and the NFL, at times working for Nick Saban at Alabama, and also for Jay Gruden in 2014 with Washington. He was the offensive coordinator at LSU in 2021, prior to joining McVay’s staff last year.

Offensive Assistant - Nick Jones, 3rd season​

If he is retained, this will be Jones’ third season with McVay. He spent six years as tight ends coach at Coastal Carolina, one year at Air Force, one at Colorado State, and one as a coaching fellow with the Falcons before joining McVay.

Offensive Assistant, Zak Kromer, 7th season​

Father Aaron Kromer was once McVay’s offensive line coach. Zak Kromer has worked with McVay for his entire Rams career.

Coaching Fellow - K.J. Black, 2nd season​

Hired in 2022, Black assistant Liam Coen throughout the season. He played quarterback at two HBCU programs and then was was co-offensive coordinator at Florida A&M prior to joining the Rams as part of their coaching fellowship.

Running Backs - OPEN​

It is not clear if Thomas Brown will retain this job or if McVay will hire someone else. If Brown goes back to RBs, will that mean that the TEs job is open?

Offensive Line - OPEN​

The Rams parted with Kevin Carberry after two seasons. They will need a new offensive line coach.

Position Assistant Coaches - ???​

Whether the Rams will have an assistant QBs coach, assistant OL coach, and so forth, remains unclear.

Defensive Coordinator - Raheem Morris, 3rd season​

Morris has interviewed twice for the Indianapolis Colts and their open head coaching job. If Morris doesn’t get that, it seems as though he will be back with McVay in 2023. This is not, however, guaranteed. Morris also worked for Jon Gruden in Tampa, then became Bucs head coach from 2009-2011, before going over to Washington when he was fired. He spent 2015-2020 with the Falcons. Prior to being the Rams defensive coordinator, Morris had only spent part of one season as an NFL defensive coordinator in his entire career. The Rams defense has not been as stout recently, but is that a talent issue or a coaching issue?

Defensive Line/Run Game Coordinator - Eric Henderson, 5th season​

Henderson went undrafted in 2006, then spent three seasons with the Bengals. McVay hired him as the defensive line coach in 2019 and he was given the run game coordinator title in 2021. He has yet to get recognition for an defensive coordinator roles.

Defensive Backs/Pass Game Coordinator - Chris Shula, 7th season​

Don’t worry, Shula wasn’t hired because of connections to Jon Gruden. Nothing like that. No, he is only the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Don Shula. Shula was hired on McVay’s first staff as assistant linebackers coach and he was moved to defensive backs/pass game coordinator in 2022.

Inside Linebackers - Chris Beake, 2nd season​

Beake was hired by McVay in 2022, but he is in his 25th season as an NFL coach. He got his start with the 49ers in 1998, then coached with the Falcons, Seahawks, Browns, and Broncos before he was let go with Vic Fangio’s staff. He got to work with Bobby Wagner in his first season in L.A.. That worked out for both.

Outside Linebackers - Thad Bogardus, 7th season

Outside Linebackers - OPEN​

Thad Bogardus also came with Wade Phillips’ staff in 2017, working with defensive tackles in his first few years. He was then moved to assistant outside linebackers coach in 2021, but the team did not renew his contract in 2023.

Assistant Defensive Line - OPEN​

McVay fired Skyler Jones from this role, so there could be an opening there.

Defensive Backs - OPEN​

Shula is listed as defensive backs on the team website, but McVay also fired Jonathan Cooley this year, who had that role. Will another defensive backs coach be hired?

Defensive Assistant - ???​

Lance Schulters was also let go out of a role here. Will the Rams be looking for more assistants to fill out the staff?

Special Teams Coordinator - OPEN​

McVay fired Joe DeCamillis too and will need a new special teams coordinator. McVay fired John Fassel in 2020, then fired replacement John Bonamego in 2021, so he will have his third special teams coordinator in four years.

Special Teams Assistant - Jeremy Springer, 2nd year​

Springer was a college special teams coordinator prior to joining the Rams in 2022. Will McVay feel he’s ready for a promotion?

I’ll keep this updated as more news rolls in.
 

Merlin

Enjoying the ride
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
37,211
Henderson went undrafted in 2006, then spent three seasons with the Bengals. McVay hired him as the defensive line coach in 2019 and he was given the run game coordinator title in 2021. He has yet to get recognition for an defensive coordinator roles.
The problem for Henderson is that in today's league you have to know the secondary to be a DC. But he's so damn good as a DL coach it's hard to move him out. There is no way I'd let him moonlight over there like Shula just did.

But honestly given the way his units have consistently produced since he joined us, the guy deserves a DC look. Just pair him with a really good secondary coach, someone who definitely knows his shit back there irt gameday calls, and put that secondary coach in the skybox.
 

El Chapo Jr

Hall of Fame
Joined
Feb 10, 2021
Messages
4,548
I personally was never a fan of Evans but that's just me. But it will be interesting next year, there is always a guy on the OL for the Rams that fans like to abuse. Who's it gonna be?
Do the rules about talking shit apply to ex-Rams? Asking cuz Evans play was garbage and we were foolish to hold onto him for as long as we did.
 

dieterbrock

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
23,001
Well in 2021 I didn't hate anyone on the OL - I felt we could do better but I didn't hate anyone like I did this year with two players. Well hate is a strong word. Maybe it is more of "they had absolutely no business being on the team - even as a back-up" type of attitude.
And those same 2 guys were on the team last year. What changed?
 

Tano

Legend
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
8,889
And those same 2 guys were on the team last year. What changed?
Weren't Evans and Kolone on the practice squad and we got lucky we didn't have any injuries that they were forced to go on the 53. Or was Evans on the 53 but didn't have to play one play.

I probably should restate it and say I didn't have the absolutely no business attitude on anyone who played a down in 2021 whereas in 2022 - Evans and Kolone had no business playing a down. As to the people who came off the streets, they were so so but didn't meet the absolutely no business attitude toward them.

We should have gotten rid of Evans and Kolone after their first game in 2022.

Evans and Kolone basically got Stafford hurt because of their terrible blocking.
 

Merlin

Enjoying the ride
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
37,211
Good. Hope the Cowboys hire him. Brown is the most overrated positional coach we've had since Kromer's early years.
 

OldSchool

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Nov 3, 2013
Messages
38,706
Good. Hope the Cowboys hire him. Brown is the most overrated positional coach we've had since Kromer's early years.
I was gonna say Shula. Brown has gotten production from backs we drafted. OLB coach for 2 years with nobody developing in house followed by a year at LB with Jones as a rookie who did well. Then this year as DB and pass game coach were well....
 

blackbart

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
6,225
Name
Tim
Good. Hope the Cowboys hire him. Brown is the most overrated positional coach we've had since Kromer's early years.
Have to disagree, Brown fixed things this year after the new guy screwed things up so badly our #1 and 2 RBs were both ready to go elsewhere.

They haven’t given him a great room to work with.
 

Merlin

Enjoying the ride
Rams On Demand Sponsor
ROD Credit | 2023 TOP Member
Joined
May 8, 2014
Messages
37,211
I was gonna say Shula. Brown has gotten production from backs we drafted. OLB coach for 2 years with nobody developing in house followed by a year at LB with Jones as a rookie who did well. Then this year as DB and pass game coach were well....
Shula too. Just like with Brown he went to another position group and they played like shit. Being given an opportunity to moonlight like that doesn't absolve these guys of the basic requirement to get good production on the field.

Have to disagree, Brown fixed things this year after the new guy screwed things up so badly our #1 and 2 RBs were both ready to go elsewhere.

They haven’t given him a great room to work with.
He joined us in 2020. Since that time the Rams have fiddle fucked around with the same shitty group of backs and been disappointed over and over. For me it isn't just about him moving to the TE group, rather that was just a cherry on top. I think that was a completely unnecessary attempt to put him in the OC track. Unnecessary because there is no way I move a guy like that when my RB room has failed to provide this offense what it needs over and over and over again.

So when I hear other teams thinking they're getting some top offensive mind... Yeah ok. Come get him fuckers. I'll cater some sandwiches for your driver or tip the Uber to move his ass too. And then go get another RB coach who can make the team smarter in their RB decision making. Because they badly need to be smarter with that room.
 

blackbart

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Dec 29, 2010
Messages
6,225
Name
Tim
Shula too. Just like with Brown he went to another position group and they played like shit. Being given an opportunity to moonlight like that doesn't absolve these guys of the basic requirement to get good production on the field.


He joined us in 2020. Since that time the Rams have fiddle fucked around with the same shitty group of backs and been disappointed over and over. For me it isn't just about him moving to the TE group, rather that was just a cherry on top. I think that was a completely unnecessary attempt to put him in the OC track. Unnecessary because there is no way I move a guy like that when my RB room has failed to provide this offense what it needs over and over and over again.

So when I hear other teams thinking they're getting some top offensive mind... Yeah ok. Come get him fuckers. I'll cater some sandwiches for your driver or tip the Uber to move his ass too. And then go get another RB coach who can make the team smarter in their RB decision making. Because they badly need to be smarter with that room.
I agree moving him to TE was not in the best interest of the team. While I understand McVay’s desire to also develop coaches, I think his job is to win games. Leaders in his position, he’ll in most businesses, can’t be everyone’s best friend.

I also would like to see more from that room but, I don’t think they have had the draft capital to get upper tier talent in all the positions of need.

The guys they missed on in the positions they picked from, that has to be on Snead and his scouting department along with McVay. Bottom line, they are setting up the board.
 

dieterbrock

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
23,001
Weren't Evans and Kolone on the practice squad and we got lucky we didn't have any injuries that they were forced to go on the 53. Or was Evans on the 53 but didn't have to play one play.

I probably should restate it and say I didn't have the absolutely no business attitude on anyone who played a down in 2021 whereas in 2022 - Evans and Kolone had no business playing a down. As to the people who came off the streets, they were so so but didn't meet the absolutely no business attitude toward them.

We should have gotten rid of Evans and Kolone after their first game in 2022.

Evans and Kolone basically got Stafford hurt because of their terrible blocking.
Kolone has been on the Rams practice squad since 2019 season, while Evans has been on the full 53 man roster during the same span (4 seasons)
So I dont understand why this falls on Carberry being that they only played due to pure desperation, which in essence boils down to blaming Carberry for the injuries. Because without the injuries, neither guy sees the field
 

Tano

Legend
Joined
Jun 11, 2017
Messages
8,889
Kolone has been on the Rams practice squad since 2019 season, while Evans has been on the full 53 man roster during the same span (4 seasons)
So I dont understand why this falls on Carberry being that they only played due to pure desperation, which in essence boils down to blaming Carberry for the injuries. Because without the injuries, neither guy sees the field
Just to set the record straight, I have never said one thing for or against Carberry.
 

dieterbrock

Rams On Demand Sponsor
Rams On Demand Sponsor
Joined
Jan 3, 2013
Messages
23,001
Just to set the record straight, I have never said one thing for or against Carberry.
You did say that playing Evans and Kolone caused Stafford to get hurt, so that's not exactly a ringing endorsement either