The Los Angeles Rams’ coaching staff has undergone some changes this offseason, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.
The Rams lost offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell after he took the Minnesota Vikings head coaching job, and he then took tight ends coach Wes Phillips with him to be his offensive coordinator.
Sean McVay wasted no time finding a replacement for O’Connell, bringing back a familiar face in Liam Coen to be his offensive coordinator.
Running backs coach Thomas Brown, who also has other responsibilities as assistant head coach, then decided to replace Phillips to coach tight ends, leaving a void for L.A. in the backfield.
Because Brown is one of the best young coaches in the NFL, McVay trusted him to find his own replacement as running backs coach. It appears he has made a decision as Aaron Wilson of NFL Network is reporting the Rams are planning to bring in TCU coach Ra’Shaad Samples to coach running backs:
Los Angeles Rams are planning to hire highly regarded TCU running backs coach-assistant head coach Ra'Shaad Samples as their new running backs coach with Thomas Brown now coaching tight ends. Samples, 27, is an up-and-coming coach @mzenitz on it first.
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) March 4, 2022
Samples is a former wide receiver at Oklahoma State and Houston that had his playing career cut short due to concussions. He then went into coaching, and now at just 27 years of age, he has experience as a student assistant at Houston, assistant wide receivers coach at Texas, and a variety of roles at SMU over the last two seasons, including offensive assistant, running backs coach, recruiting coordinator and assistant head coach.
In November, he was hired as assistant head coach and running backs coach for TCU, although his tenure there did not last long as he’s now set to join the Rams.
He will be coaching a very strong running back room that includes Cam Akers, Darrell Henderson and Jake Funk with Sony Michel set to hit free agency.
