SI names 4 LA Rams coaches destined for future HC roles

Jonathan Cooley, Defensive Backs Coach

A two-year position coach, LA Rams DB Coach Jonathan Cooley was hired on to help the LA Rams in 2020 as the defensive assistant/quality control coach. The following year, he was given the chance to help coach the secondary after losing former coach Aubrey Pleasant to the Detroit Lions in 2021.

This year, he was promoted once more, filling the void vacated by the loss of Ejiro Evero to the Denver Broncos. The Rams’ secondary is rather young this year, but Cooley is already showing incredible ability to identify and coach up young defensive backs. He is on a short list of up-and-coming coaches in the NFL.

Zac Robinson, Passing Game Coordinator, QB Coach

Another young position coach, LA Rams QB Coach Zac Robinson is entering his fourth year with the team. Robinson’s story begins as the leading pro and college football analyst for Pro Football Focus. He was hired on by the LA Rams as an assistant quarterback coach in 2019, as he helped work with then-quarterback Jared Goff.

He pivoted to assistant wide receivers coach in 2020, helping the Rams to flirt with a pair of 1000-yard receivers. He returned to an assistant quarterback coaching role in 2021, a year in which he worked very closely with then offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell. This year, Robinson’s role has been significantly expanded with the team. With his larger role with the offense, he too is on a short list of up-and-coming coaches in the NFL.