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5 HC candidates the LA Rams must call if Sean McVay leaves

By Carlos Sanchez

Jan 8, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay celebrates a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay celebrates a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /
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LA Rams
Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt (99) and San Francisco 49ers DC DeMeco Ryans (right) at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 Head coach candidate the LA Rams must pursue: DeMeco Ryans

Not every good NFL head coach was a good player. Heck, some of the best coaches in league history didn’t play beyond the college level. Conversely, not all great players can make the transition to the coaching ranks. Having said that, there are those that have successfully made the leap and former Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans seems to be next.

Ryan has steadily been moving up the coaching ladder after a stellar career as a player with the Houston Texans and the Philadelphia Eagles. A first-round pick by the Texans in 2006, Ryan played 10 seasons in the NFL and earn two Pro Bowl nods.

Once Ryan’s playing days were over, he joined the San Francisco 49ers’ coaching staff as a quality control coach in 2017. He was then promoted to linebackers coach in 2018 and later to defensive coordinator in 2021.

Ryan landed an interview for the Minnesota Vikings’ head-coaching opening in 2022 but he chose to return to the Niners. His success’ leading San Francisco’s defense has made him a coveted candidate in this hiring cycle. The Texans already reached out to him to interview for the vacancy left following the dismissal of Lovie Smith but declined the offer.

Given that Ryan will get offers from more stable franchises, it’s easy to see why he decided to shun the team he originally played for. Ryan has a strong defensive background but coaching takes more than X’s and O’s. He has the leadership skills and emotional intelligence to be the LA Rams’ next coach and if can pair himself with a bright offensive coordinator, he could be precisely what they need in the post-McVay era.

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