Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay has a penchant for finding talented assistants for his staff.
Every offseason, McVay is forced to replace members on his coaching staff, though this past offseason he saw a key member return in Aubrey Pleasant. Pleasant returned to serve as the Rams’ defensive backs coordinator after spending previous seasons with the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
Pleasant was in the running for the defensive coordinator position after Raheem Morris left to become the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons, but the job went to Chris Shula. However, McVay showed how much Pleasant means to the staff as he was recently promoted to assistant head coach.
When the promotion was made official, McVay explained why he chose Pleasant, via Stu Jackson of TheRams.com:
“It’s truly earned,” McVay said. “Obviously, you guys know how highly I think of Aubrey. He’s been here six out of the eight years. When he came back, his presence was immediately felt.
“But when I think about what that assistant head coach represents, it’s a leader, it’s a teacher, it’s a mentor, it’s a connector, a guy that, like I had mentioned to you guys a couple minutes ago, he’s done some stuff with the rookies where he’s teaching about the culture. He’s obviously a really close friend, but he has earned that role based on the effect and influence where… you guys have heard me say before, ‘Great leaders influence and effect positive change with people they’re around, situations they’re a part of.’ He’s checking both of those boxes and he’s a great leader. He’s just got a really great way about himself.”
McVay added that the players and coaching staff lauded the move and were excited for Pleasant:
“When we announced it to the team, it was one of the cooler moments I’ve been a part of because of the authentic excitement from the players and from the coaches because it was earned, and it was cool to be able to surprise him and see the authentic appreciation,” McVay said. “But like I said, it’s been earned and I’ll lean heavily on him. And it’s something that I’m really happy for Aubrey, but I can’t say enough about how much he’s earned the right to be called assistant head coach.”
Pleasant has been a fixture on the sidelines since joining McVay and is in line to handle more responsibility heading into the 2024 season.
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