Can LA Rams retain LB coach Barry upon hiring DC Brandon Staley?

The LA Rams filled the vacant defensive coordinator role with Brandon Staley. Now can team retain LB Coach Barry?

The LA Rams have been blessed with young talented position coaches. One position coach who has been such an up-and-comer that his name has appeared in the NFL Rumors news this year. He is Rams linebackers coach Joe Barry, and he is the talk of promotion to defensive coordinator. Of course, his namee has been mentioned as one of the projected candidates for the defensive coordinator role for the Rams.

But he has also interviewed with the University of Southern California for their defensive coordinator role. Now that the Rams have decided upon Denver Broncos OLB coach Brandon Staley, the question is now obvious.  Will Coach Barry land the defensive coordinator role with USC?

Joseph Barry has natural ties to USC.   He was a former linebackers coach for the Trojans in 2010, and he was liked by players a great deal.  Previously, he played at the linebackers position for USC as well.

Barry rumored USC leading candidate

USC sports writers certainly believe that Barry is a strong candidate, and the USC hire was merely delayed to resolve who would land the Rams DC job.  Now that Barry is no longer in the running there, the only decision is whether he stays with the Rams, or goes to USC if the job is offered. In fact, the rumors are hitting the streets rather quickly.

Right now, his status is somewhat in limbo. Has he been offered the position at USC? Will he be? If offered, will he take it?

The Rams have plenty of issues at the linebacker position this off-season.  First and foremost is the decision to re-sign ILB Cory Littleton.  Then the team must determine how to proceed with OLB Dante Fowler Jr. .  The decision will most likely depend on how the team manages the salary cap this off-season.

One step.. er.. .coach at a time

If the Rams lose Barry to the USC Trojans, it will add one more coaching position to fill. The team is currently seeking a special teams coach to replace the role vacated by Coach John Fassel,  The team is also seeking a running back coach to replace  Coach Skip Peete.  Rumor are surfacing that the Rams are in hot pursuit of University of Texas running backs coach Stan Drayton.   Unfortunately, he is also a target of the Dallas Cowboys for a similar role.

The Rams coaching staff is a moving target right now. Linebacker coach Joe Barry could be a future defection, or he may stay.  Ultimately, he must choose the right decision for himself and his family.  The LA Rams will then move to fill whatever coaching positions remain open. As for us? It’s always challenging to fill coaching positions. But with Barry in the mix for defensive coordinator, will he give his all to help new DC Brandon Staley his full 100 percent commitment?  So that places us on the fence on this one.

Que sera’ sera’. Whatever will be, will be.