McVay, 30, youngest coach ever
The Los Angeles Rams have made Sean McVay the youngest coach in NFL history. The Rams on Thursday hired McVay, who turns 31 years old on Jan. 24.
The Washington Redskins’ offensive coordinator replaces Jeff Fisher, who was fired 13 games into the Rams’ homecoming season in Los Angeles, and interim coach John Fassel. The Rams finished 4- 12 in their 13th consecutive nonwinning season.
“The accomplishments and success that he has had in less than a decade in our league are impressive,” Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a statement.
McVay spent the last three seasons as Jay Gruden’s offensive coordinator with the Redskins. He has been an assistant since 2010 in Washington, where he worked with Gruden and Bill Callahan to build a prolific offense led by quarterback Kirk Cousins.
“Really happy for Sean McVay!” Cousins tweeted.
“I am incredibly honored by this opportunity,” McVay said in a statement, thanking Kroenke and Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff. “Collectively, we are committed to building a championship- caliber team, and I’m excited to start that process and make our fans proud.”
McVay wowed the Rams’ top brass during two recent interviews, but he is an unorthodox choice for the franchise, which hasn’t taken many extraordinary risks during Kroenke’s tenure.
Chargers flee to Los Angeles
As angry fans in San Diego gathered outside to say goodbye to the franchise they’ve loved for decades, Chargers chairman Dean Spanos announced to his employees that the team is moving to Los Angeles, where it will join the recently relocated Rams to give the nation’s second- largest media market two NFL teams for the first time since 1994.
Spanos told his employees that the team will relocate for the 2017 season. The team posted a letter on its Twitter account, which was rebranded as the Los Angeles Chargers.
“San Diego has been our home for 56 years. It will always be part of our identity, and my family and I have nothing but gratitude and appreciation for the support and passion our fans have shared with us over the years. But today, we turn the page and begin an exciting new era as the Los Angeles Chargers,” Spanos said in the letter.
According to multiple reports, the Chargers will hire Anthony Lynn as their new coach. Lynn was the interim coach for the Buffalo Bills’ last game after being promoted to the team’s offensive coordinator after Week 2.
Prosecutor asks league for help
An Ohio prosecutor deciding how to proceed after Cincinnati Bengals player Adam “Pacman” Jones’ latest arrest says he wants to know first what punishment Jones, 33, faces from the NFL.
“I want to know what the NFL is going to do,” Hamilton County Prosecutor Joe Deters said. Deters asked “what is the normal” for a player with multiple offenses and who’s previously been suspended.
An NFL spokesman said that Jones’ case “remains under review” and that the league had no further comment. Jones was jailed Jan. 3 on four counts, charging that he head- butted police and spit on a nurse after his arrest for assault for allegedly pushing a downtown Cincinnati hotel security employee and poking him in the eye.
In other NFL news ...
Cornerback Quinten Rollins ( neck injury, concussion protocol) practiced for a second consecutive day for the Green Bay Packers, a sign that their secondary could be getting closer to full strength ahead of the divisional- round playoff game Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.
Matt Burke was promoted from linebackers coach to defensive coordinator by the Miami Dolphins. He replaced Vance Joseph, who became coach of the Denver Broncos.
The Arizona Cardinals resigned defensive tackle Josh Mauro to a two- year contract with undisclosed terms. He set career highs with 13 starts and 42 tackles.
The Baltimore Ravens hired Greg Roman as senior offensive assistant and tight ends coach.
Sun- Times wires