ESPN Mortensen reports: 2nd LA Rams coach fleeing to NCAA role

The LA Rams offense certainly has not met expectations. Whether you look at yards gained, points scored, or the simple win-loss record of the team after 13 games have been played and decided from the 2022 NFL schedule, the Rams have been disappointing. And that is saying it mildly.

The Rams’ rushing offense has been abysmal, currently ranked 30th among a league of 32 teams, averaging only 86.1 yards per game.  The overall offense is no better, with an average of 16.8 points scored per game ranking 29th in the NFL.  Worse yet, the Rams’ offense has gained just 283.0 yards per game, 31st in the league.

In the LA Rams organization, accountability rules.  Despite the fact that this team has been decimated with injuries on the offensive line, wide receiver, and even quarterback positions, it was clear that some coaching changes were likely on the offensive side of the football.

One, Two, buckle my shoe

The first coach to be reportedly coaching elsewhere is Running Back Coach Ra’Shaad Samples, who has already been reported to be taking up a role with the Arizona State University football program coaching staff.  Now, the latest Rams rumors indicate that offensive coordinator Liam Coen is another one-and-done coach on the offensive side of the ball, fleeing to the University of Kentucky to assume the offensive coordinator role he had vacated to hire on as the offensive coordinator of the LA Rams.

Coincidence? Sure, why not. Nothing to see here, right?  I’m certain that however the matter was introduced in any conversations, both the Rams and Liam Coen agreed to part ways here. Perhaps Coen was not truly prepared and equipped to run an NFL offense just yet. Perhaps he was too agreeable, and HC Sean McVay needs a different perspective to optimize the LA Rams offense.

Of course, this places the Rams coaching staff now searching for both a RB coach and an offensive coordinator, but wasn’t that where the LA Rams would end up anyways? The Rams currently employ Greg Olsen as a Senior Offensive Assistant. But don’t forget the fact that the Rams hired Jay Gruden as a consultant, but Gruden’s work has primarily been on the offensive side of the football as well.

But if the Rams had either on staff, does that eliminate the chance of hiring someone from outside the organization? Not at all. But the best candidates will become available at the end of this season when unsuccessful teams fire head coaches and their staff to reassemble a new coaching staff for the 2023 NFL season.

For now, the Rams will be creating a short list of candidates. Who will fill the Rams’ coaching vacancies? Time will tell. But, to be honest, I don’t think the openings for the LA Rams will be limited to just two roles by the time it’s all said and done.