LA Rams coaching defections: Kevin O’Connell may be the first casualty

Now that the 2021 NFL Season has drawn to a close, the LA Rams must once more hunker down as both NCAA and NFL organizations attempt to improve their teams by prying away a coach or coordinator who has helped the Rams organization remain so successful.  And once more, the Rams will find their coaches’ and coordinators’ names appearing on the shortlist of names for potential head coaching positions.

Of course, this is just the beginning. At some point, the LA Rams will themselves take stock of performance goals and assessments. At that time, the team may opt to part ways with some members of the coaching staff.

But even after all of those circumstances play out, the Rams will be subjected to new interest as head coaches try to build their own coaching staff.  So even if the Rams do not lose anyone to fill new head coaching positions, that does not mean that the team is out of the woods.

Oh, O’Connell, where fort art thou?

For now, the first name to show up on social media as someone who is targeted for a head coaching gig is offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. He is currently a name that has been linked to the vacated head coaching position of the Denver Broncos. What are the chances that he is hired there? Probably more likely than I care to admit.

While the LA Rams had denied the LA Chargers access to interview O’Connell for a potential offensive coordinator role last year, they may not be as opposed this year. And so, the Carolina Panthers are in the market for a new offensive coordinator for head coach Matt Rhule, and Kevin O’Connell’s name has surfaced as a possible hire there as well.

We had compiled a list of the five coaches who the LA Rams risk losing in the 2022 offseason. Not coincidentally, Kevin O’Connell’s name was listed among the group.

The fact is that he may not be the only coach to be interviewed for a promotion.

Sean McVay’s successful coaching tree

Many coaches who are given opportunities from Sean McVay’s coaching tree have had an unusually high level of success in the NFL. It’s that track record that continues to make Rams coaches among the first names mentioned among teams trying to build a new and successful coaching staff on their own team.

The Rams may already have some options if O’Connell does leave. For starters, ESPN NFL Analyst, Dan Orlovsky, has already tossed his hat into the ring if the right position opens up on the team’s coaching staff.  So what is the ‘right position’?  That role would likely either be quarterback coach or Offensive Coordinator. Curiously, Dan Orlovsky was once a quarterback for the LA Rams in 2017. Although he signed on with the Rams, he announced his retirement in October 2017.

The LA Rams are entering the Wildcard Round of the NFL Playoffs. As long as the team advances, the Rams will be able to retain all of their coaches on staff. But as soon as the Rams season is over, look for additional names to pop up linked to other teams.