The Los Angeles Rams recently announced their new coaching staff under Sean McVay for the 2021 NFL season.
The Rams have become accustomed to losing key members of the staff due to the team’s success since McVay took over back in 2017. However, they experienced more turnover than even they are used to after parting ways with seven assistant coaches this offseason.
Although L.A. will be relying on a host of new faces to take on integral roles, there are a few familiar ones that will have added responsibilities. Among them is running backs coach Thomas Brown, who was also promoted to assistant head coach.
McVay praised Brown for his efforts during the 2020 campaign and is excited for what he brings to the table in his increased role, via Stu Jackson of the team’s official website:
“He’s got such a refreshing security about himself, ability to command the room, communicate,” McVay said. “I think what I’ve always appreciated about our interactions in the last year that we’ve spent together, (is that) he’s always going to tell me what I need to hear, not what I want to hear. And sometimes that’s hard to find as a head coach. He’s very decisive, but then he’s also open minded. And he’s got just such a great grasp of this game and a great ability to relate to people to bring out the best in his group, when you see what he did with the running back group in particular last year. So he’s going to do a great job assuming more responsibilities there, as a great leader of this football team.”
Brown has certainly made some significant strides since making the leap from the NCAA to the NFL as the Rams’ running backs coach last year. McVay’s comments indicate that he managed to take full advantage of his opportunity.
Brown was naturally charged with the development of running back Cam Akers after he was taken in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Although things may have gotten off to a slow start with the rookie missing three games due to injury, he still finished as the team’s leading rusher with 625 yards while showing off his workhorse potential.
Pulling off double-duty alongside Brown this season will be tight ends coach/pass game coordinator Wes Phillips and defensive line coach/run game coordinator Eric Henderson. Given the team’s expectations with the arrival of quarterback Matthew Stafford, McVay clearly has full confidence that they are more than up to the task.
