When an NFL coach is successful, it only makes sense that assistants from the staff begin getting hired elsewhere in bigger positions. This has certainly been the case for Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay, who has basically had to find new coaches and coordinators to replace the ones who leave yearly. One of the best he has found recently is Aubrey Pleasant.
Pleasant was brought on to the Rams staff when McVay was hired in 2017, where he served as the cornerbacks coach until 2020. After leaving for a few years, McVay brought Pleasant back last season as the defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator after previously serving in the same role with the Detroit Lions. And in their time together, Pleasant has impressed McVay enough that the Rams head coach has given him a promotion.
According to Ian Rapaport of NFL Network, McVay announced to the team that Pleasant will now also serve as the Rams assistant head coach:
#Rams defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant is adding an assistant head coach title to his current role, source said, a promotion that coach Sean McVay announced to the team to big cheers this week. Pleasant is viewed as an HC candidate by the Rams and NFL office. pic.twitter.com/zCAz1oHHn6
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 16, 2024
The fact that entire Rams team cheered upon hearing the announcement of the promotion says a lot about the impact Pleasant has made already and how much the team likes and respects him. Pleasant being viewed as a future head coach by the Rams, as well as around NFL circles, also bode well for his future prospects and taking on this assistant head coach role will only better prepare him for future opportunities.
It sounds as if Pleasant has the opportunity to join a growing number of assistants who have left Sean McVay to become head coaches elsewhere. Notably Green Bay Packers coach Mike LaFleur, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor and Minnesota Vikings coach Kevin O’Connelll were all plucked from the McVay coaching tree. Additionally, former L.A. Chargers head coach Brandon Staley came from the Rams and Raheem Morris used his stint as defensive coordinator to get another chance as a head coach with the Atlanta Falcons.
Obviously Pleasant’s current focus is on handling his duties with the Rams and getting the best out of his players, but it is always great to see people get rewarded for doing an excellent job and McVay made sure Pleasant got his due.
Rams 2024 regular season schedule officially released
McVay, Pleasant and the rest of the Rams coaching staff will have their work cut out for them this year as they look to lead the franchise to another postseason appearance and they now know the road that lays ahead.
The NFL announced the 2024 regular season schedule with the Rams starting the season on Sunday Night Football on the road against the Lions in a rematch of last year’s Wild Card round.
The Rams’ home opener will take place in Week 3 against the division rival San Francisco 49ers and the team has five primetime games total.
