With the NFL offseason now in full swing, the Los Angeles Rams have been busy filling the vacancies on their coaching staff. On Wednesday, the team announced that Liam Coen has returned to the organization to become the new offensive coordinator, replacing Kevin O’Connell, who was named head coach of the Minnesota Vikings last month.
Jake Peetz and Greg Olson will also reportedly join head coach Sean McVay’s offensive staff for the 2022 season, although their hirings have not been made official yet.
Another key member of the group is Thomas Brown, who found success as the Rams’ running backs coach and assistant head coach last season. He reportedly interviewed for the Vikings’ offensive coordinator job after O’Connell was hired.
Brown has exclusively coached the Rams’ running backs group since joining the franchise in 2020, but that is expected to change, as according to Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, he will shift gears and oversee the tight ends group next season:
McVay says Brown's move is to give him a more overall perspective on the offense, rather than primarily the running game. He indicated it's another step on the road to bigger jobs & responsibilities for Brown, an up-and-coming coaching star https://t.co/y5S7QhZQkf
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) March 2, 2022
Brown fills the void left by Wes Phillips, who served as the Rams’ tight ends coach for the last three seasons before leaving to become O’Connell’s offensive coordinator in Minnesota.
With Brown receiving a promotion, the Rams will now be on the lookout for a new running backs coach, which he will hire. According to multiple reports, L.A. is expected to interview TCU running backs coach, run-game coordinator and assistant head coach, Ra’Shaad Samples for the position.