5 candidates LA Rams must consider for vacant DC role

Washington Huskies defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski

In any coaching search, there is always that one candidate which surprises everyone at first. Then, after a moment, everyone nods and smiles, realizing that the selection was more obvious than initially believed.  Right now, University of Washington defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkoski fits that description to a tee.

He may not be the first mind anyone thinks of, but don’t let that fool you.  He has enjoyed a solid career as defensive coordinator for the Washington Huskies since 2014.  Prior to that, he was the defensive coordinator for Boise State, where he was a coach with growing responsibilities for 19 years. .   It was former head coach Chris Petersen who brought Kwiatkowski, a.k.a. “Coach K” with him when he took over as head coach of UW.

Now Petersen has stepped away from the Huskies. That makes this the perfect time for a NFL team to try prying Coach K away as well.  The Rams would be the right team to consider doing so.

Coach K already coached two of the Rams up and coming stars on defense, safety Taylor Rapp and nose tackle Greg Gaines. And it was Kwiatkowski who coached up lower quality defensive prospects into NFL careers.  Right now, the Rams are nearly bumping up against the NFL salary cap ceiling.  Hiring a defensive coordinator with strong ties to college players cannot be overestimated for the Rams right now.

Coach K’s defense was one of the best throughout his career at the Pac-12, despite less lauded recruiting classes.  That’s because K focuses on work ethic, getting to know his players personally, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed. Place that type of dedication onto the coaching staff at the NFL level will only lead to good outcomes.