THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams finalized new head coach Sean McVay’s coaching staff of 18 assistants Wednesday, including offensive co-ordinator Matt LaFleur.
The 31-year-old McVay had already announced the hiring of NFL veteran Wade Phillips as his defensive co-ordinator and the retention of special teams co-ordinator John Fassel, who has spent the past five years with the Rams.
Fassel served as the Rams’ interim head coach for the final three games of last season after Jeff Fisher was fired.
"We have a great group of talented coaches that I’m very excited to work with this year," McVay said. "They have a vast array of experiences and the qualities we are looking for as we build this staff. Their unique insight to the game will collectively make this team better."
LaFleur joins the Rams from the Atlanta Falcons, where he was the defending NFC champions’ quarterbacks coach for the past two years. He was Washington’s quarterbacks coach from 2010-13, when McVay coached the Redskins’ tight ends.
LaFleur has never been an offensive co-ordinator, and the Rams had the NFL’s worst offence last year for the second consecutive season. McVay, Washington’s offensive co-ordinator for the past three seasons, has said he intends to call the Rams’ plays.
Greg Olson, the Rams’ new quarterbacks coach, has been an offensive co-ordinator for four NFL teams over nine seasons, including the St. Louis Rams from 2006-07.
LaFleur, who spent the 2014 season as Notre Dame’s quarterbacks coach, and Olson will be charged with developing Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick in last year’s draft, after his rough rookie season.
Veteran NFL assistant Joe Barry will be the Rams’ assistant head coach and linebackers coach. McVay and Barry were Washington head coach Jay Gruden’s co-ordinators for the past two years, but Barry was fired Jan. 5.
Former Buffalo assistant Aaron Kromer will coach the Rams’ offensive line, which struggled mightily last season. Kromer was the Chicago Bears’ offensive co-ordinator for two seasons before joining the Bills’ staff two years ago.
The Rams also hired Kromer’s son, Zak, as an offensive quality control coach. Zak Kromer worked with his father in Buffalo last season.
Bill Johnson will coach the Rams’ defensive line, likely their strongest position group around All-Pro Aaron Donald. Johnson spent the past eight years coaching the New Orleans Saints’ defensive line.
Chris Shula is the Rams’ assistant linebackers coach. He is the 31-year-old son of former Bengals coach David Shula and the grandson of Hall of Fame head coach Don Shula.
Running backs coach Skip Peete joins Fassel in returning from Fisher’s staff with the Rams. Veteran assistant Eric Yarber will be the Rams’ wide receivers coach after doing the same job across town at UCLA last season.
Shane Waldron is the Rams’ tight ends coach after spending last season with McVay as the Redskins’ offensive quality control coach. McVay also grabbed Aubrey Pleasant from Washington’s staff to be his cornerbacks coach.
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