Youngest-ever-coach McVay’s backroom team sure he can revive Rams franchise
>> THOUSAND OAKS: Although Sean McVay is the youngest head coach in modern NFL history, he’ll have plenty of experienced help around the Los Angeles Rams.
McVay’s new coaching staff spent the past week at the Rams’ training complex watching film of last season’s team, holding meetings and preparing for the months of work ahead. The 31-year-old boss has assembled a staff featuring several veteran NFL coordinators and position coaches, along with two holdovers from Jeff Fisher’s staff.
Many of the assistants have previously worked together, and two are actually related: offensive line coach Aaron Kromer is the father of offensive quality control assistant Zak Kromer. The group all share a belief in McVay, who intends to revitalise a franchise with just four winning seasons in the last 27 years.
“I had multiple opportunities to go to other places, but Sean is why I came here,’’ said assistant head coach Joe Barry, a veteran defensive coordinator. “I believe in this guy, and he’s incredibly special. I can’t wait for obviously the city of Los Angeles, really the whole NFL, our team to see this guy and what he’s all about.’’
McVay’s biggest hire was Wade Phillips, the veteran defensive coordinator joining his 10th NFL franchise. After a few weeks of film study, Phillips sees the ingredients of a standout defence around All-Pro Aaron Donald and fellow linemen Robert Quinn and Michael Brockers.
“I think they were good [last year], and we have a chance to be great,’’ said Phillips, who spent the past two years running Denver’s Super Bowlwinning defence. “We have a chance, even, to be the best, and that’s what we’re looking for.’’
Phillips confirmed he plans to move the Rams from a 4-3 defence to his favoured 3-4 scheme, although he considers such labels to be semantics.
“You can call it a 5-2,’’ Phillips said. “It’s an odd-man front, which you can play in a 4-3.’’
Phillips’ defensive staff includes Barry, who worked alongside McVay in Washington for the past two years: Barry was the Redskins’ defensive coordinator, while McVay was the offensive coordinator.
Barry, who is also the Rams’ linebackers coach, welcomed the move into a supporting role for the opportunity to work with the 69-yearold Phillips.
Barry and Phillips developed a friendship over the past 10 years, but have never been on the same staff.
Meanwhile, head coach Jack Del Rio has been handed a fresh four-year contract by the Oakland Raiders after leading the NFL team to the play-offs last season, the franchise announced on Friday.
Financial details of the new deal were not disclosed by Oakland.
“The Raiders have torn up Jack Del Rio’s original contract and rewarded him with a new four-year deal,” Raiders owner Mark Davis said in a statement.
“We are excited to continue building on the strong foundation that has been established and this is a significant step in achieving that goal.”
Del Rio, 53, took over as head coach in January 2015, after the Raiders had struggled to a 3-13 record in 2014.
He led the team to a 7-9 record in his first season in charge, then guided them to the playoffs in 2016 for the first time in 14 years as they went 12-4 before losing to the Houston Texans during the wild card round.