5 candidates LA Rams must consider for vacant DC role

Rams assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Barry

Unless I’m way off track, the most likely scenario points in the direction of Rams assistant head coach/linebackers coach Joe Barry.  Why?  Well the send off for defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was awfully rosy, too rosy for a “you failed, clear out your desk” situation.

It more likely that the reason begins with the  USC interest in linebackers coach Joe Barry as their new defensive coordinator as the primary factor to precipitate this move by the Rams.

USC interviewed  Joe Barry for their DC role.  If it went well, and we assume that it did, that would have forced McVay’s hand to react immediately.  In an off-season where the team has more than it’s share of trouble spots to address, McVay would certainly want Barry on the staff.  That translates into Sean McVay’s only option -promote Barry within the Rams organization to keep him.  And the only way to do so?  Create a vacant position. After all, defensive coordinator for a premier NCAA football program > linebacker coach for an NFL team.

That would certainly connect the dots to events which have played out so far.  And Charles Robinson, senior NFL reporter for Yahoo Sports, seems to agree. Barry has been the assistant coach /linebackers coach for the LA Rams since 2017.  Previously, he was the defensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins for two seasons. His coaching career began in 1995, when he joined the USC staff as graduate assistant/defensive line coach.

He’s been a strong factor in the production of inside linebacker Cory Littleton, as well as Alec Ogletree, Mark Barron, and others. His promotion to defensive coordinator seems to make the most sense based upon what we know right now.  Of course, we really don’t know enough to have a strong opinion yet.  But the week is young.