New Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur remembers the call.
In 2010, after interviewing Sean McVay for an NFL quality control coaching job, Washington assistant Matt LaFleur called his younger brother to rave about the candidate.
“I think we all know what he was talking about,” Mike LaFleur said of Matt, now coach of the Green Bay Packers, during a video conference with reporters on Tuesday.
Thirteen years after learning about the then-precocious McVay, LaFleur prepares to work side-by-side with him as the Rams attempt to recover from a disastrous 5-12 record, the worst season-after performance of a Super Bowl champion in NFL history.
LaFleur replaces Liam Coen, who left the Rams staff after one season to return as offensive coordinator and play-caller with Kentucky.
LaFleur, who turns 36 next month, spent the last two seasons as the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator and play-caller, a relationship that ended after the team finished 7-10 under second-year coach Robert Saleh.
The Jets ranked 25th in total offense, 15th in passing, 26th in rushing, and 29th in scoring.
“There were things I wouldn’t share in terms of what I would do differently or anything like that,” LaFleur said, “but it was a great learning experience about building a roster with a lot of youth and I was proud of a lot of the things which we have done.”
McVay has given no indication that he will relinquish play-calling duties. So, as with those who have preceded LaFleur in the position of offensive coordinator, LaFleur’s role is expected to be largely administrative.
The Rams’ staff also includes assistant head coach Thomas Brown, senior offensive assistant Greg Olson and quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson, all of whom passed McVay to hire LaFleur.
Accepting McVay’s offer with the Rams was “a pretty easy decision,” LaFleur said.
“You end up in an organization that has won, knows how to win, wants to win, has the right process and the right culture to win,” said LaFleur.
LaFleur met McVay during Washington’s organized team activities in 2010 when LaFleur was the quarterbacks coach at St. Joseph’s College, a Division II program in Indiana.
San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, left, talks with assistant coach Mike LaFleur in 2020.
(Jeff Chiu/Associated Press)
Five years later, LaFleur became an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons, for whom Kyle Shanahan served as offensive coordinator.
In 2017, LaFleur followed Shanahan to the San Francisco 49ers, while his brother joined McVay’s first Rams staff as offensive coordinator.
Mike LaFleur said he kept in touch with McVay over the years.
“Whether it’s schematic or just catching up really quickly,” LaFleur said.
LaFleur indicated that he was prepared for a non-play-calling role. His immediate focus is on helping McVay complete his coaching staff – the Rams continue to look for a coach on the offensive line – getting to know the roster and finding a home for his family and a school for his children .
During the season, “I’ll be there to support and do my part,” he said.
LaFleur will be charged with helping improve an injury-plagued offense that finished last in the NFL in total yards per game. The Rams were 27th in passing yards, rushing yards, and points per game.
LaFleur goes from mentoring young Jets quarterback Zach Wilson to working with Matthew Stafford, a 14-year veteran. Stafford, who was sidelined for the latter part of the season with a spinal cord contusion, is expected to be a full participant in off-season training.
“Many times coaches can teach players a lot, but in more cases players can teach coaches a lot as well,” LaFleur said. “So I’m excited to get to work with him, learn from him, and whatever I can offer him, I’m going to do.
“I can’t wait to build that relationship with him.”
Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp is also expected to have recovered from a season-ending ankle injury.
LaFleur is excited about adding to the principles of an offensive system that has been used in San Francisco, Green Bay and New York.
“Everyone takes it, and individually you’re going to make it match what you believe, but you also, more importantly, have it match what your players are and what your roster is,” LaFleur said. “And that’s what Sean has done better than anyone…
“So it’s just going to be nice to kind of piece that together for what we’re going to see in this 2023 version.”
