Rams Head Coach Rumors

Here’s a running list of reports and rumors pertaining to the Rams’ head-coaching search. Be sure to check back for the latest news.

Latest:

• Alden Gonzalez reports that the Rams are unlikely to interview Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan for their head-coaching vacancy, as they appear to be “zeroing in on” on Sean McVay. Gonzalez adds that nothing is finalized as of now.
• According to Jason La Canfora, the Redskins are reportedly bracing for the Rams to hire OC Sean McVay as their next head coach.
• Alden Gonzalez reports that Redskins OC Sean McVay remains the “clear front-runner” for the Rams’ head-coaching job, despite the fact that they another interview scheduled with Anthony Lynn.
• Vincent Bonsignore reports that the Rams could have a decision or formal announcement regarding who will be their next head coach soon. Bonsignore also acknowledges that there’s a lot of talk about Redskins OC Sean McVay being the guy to watch.
• Josina Anderson reports that the Rams and Chargers have both “currently scheduled” interviews with Bills interim HC Anthony Lynn for this week. Anderson adds that Lynn remained in California after his initial interviews with both teams.
• According to Jason La Canfora, an interview between Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan and Rams remains in limbo and if Atlanta wins this weekend, it may not be possible in time.
• Adam Schefter is reporting that if the Rams hire Redskins OC Sean McVay as their next head coach, his top defensive coordinator option would be to bring in Broncos DC Wade Phillips to run his defense.
• Vincent Bonsignore reports that the Rams are expected to give second interviews to three or four candidates before deciding on their next head coach.
• Tom Pelissero reports that the Rams had a second meeting with Redskins OC Sean McVay and things are now “heating up in L.A.” Albert Breer confirms the report and adds that the second meeting with McVay is actually taking place right now.
• Charles Robinson reports that Redskins OC Sean McVay has emerged as a “leading candidate” for the Rams’ head-coaching job. Sources have told Robinson that McVay had an “extremely impressive” interview with the team last week and has moved ahead of some more experienced coaches on their list. According to Robinson, the Rams are still considering other options including some coaches under contract with other teams but it has become increasingly unlikely that they’ll part with draft picks for a head coach. Interestingly enough, a source tells Robinson that ESPN’s Jon Gruden spoke with the Rams but he was acting in an advisory capacity and offering an “organizational assessment.”
• Albert Breer says that the Rams’ head-coaching search is the most wide open, which is why Redskins OC Sean McVay could be the candidate who makes the most sense for Los Angeles.
• Jason La Canfora would be “shocked” if the Rams don’t hire an offensive-minded head coach and mentions that Redskins OC Sean McVay remains a name to watch for that job.
• Mike Silver of NFL Media reports that Redskins OC Sean McVay has “crushed” both of his interviews with the Rams and 49ers.
• The Rams will interview Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan for their head-coaching vacancy after Atlanta’s Divisional Round game against the Seahawks, according to the Los Angeles Times.
• Albert Breer of TheMMQB.com reports that the Rams have received permission to interview Texans LBs coach Mike Vrabel for their head coaching vacancy. According to Breer, the Rams plan to interview Vrabel after the Texans’ game against the Patriots.
• Mike Silver reports that both Patriots coordinators, Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia, made positive impressions on the Rams during their head-coaching interviews on Saturday.
• According to Adam Schefter, Lions DC Teryl Austin will interview with Chargers and Rams now that Detroit has been eliminated from the playoffs.
• Peter Schrager reports that the Rams are be interviewing Jaguars interim HC Doug Marrone and Bills interim HC Anthony Lynn for their head-coaching job Sunday in Florida.
• Jason La Canfora reports that the Rams’ interview with Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan has been postponed due to weather issues for Los Angeles’ brass in terms of getting to Atlanta. According to La Canfora, there won’t be a way for the Rams to conduct an interview with Shanahan during the NFL-mandated window but the two sides are “very hopeful” of scheduling another meeting. La Canfora adds that the earliest the Rams will be able to interview Shanahan will be the Super Bowl bye week, unless the Falcons lose in the Division Round.
• Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, citing a source with knowledge of the situation, reports that the Rams are spending “a lot of time doing their homework” on Redskins OC Sean McVay. Florio says that there’s currently “plenty of buzz” about McVay for his work with QB Kirk Cousins and the Rams reportedly believe he could get the most out of No. 1 overall pick Jared Goff. According to Florio, it’s unlikely that the Rams will make a run at either Jon Gruden or Saints HC Sean Payton.
• According to Troy Renck, the Rams will interview Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan on Saturday.
• A league source tells Ben Volin of the Boston Globe that it appears Patriots OC Josh McDaniels will get to choose between the Rams, 49ers and Jaguars for a head coaching job this offseason, barring a late position becoming available.
• Ian Rapoport reports that the Rams’ defensive coaching staff is hoping that the team will bring in an offensive-minded coach and retain them, as opposed to overhauling the entire staff.
• Mike Rodak of ESPN reports that the Rams have scheduled an interview with Bills interim HC Anthony Lynn for Sunday in Florida.
• Rams COO Kevin Demoff mentioned that they were “intrigued” by college coaches, their focus remains on NFL coordinators for now: “I don’t see that as being an active part of our search. I think our focus right now is assistant coaches in the NFL who are likely to be head coaches.” (Orange County Register)
• Josina Anderson reports that Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin is scheduled to meet with the Rams on Thursday and the Bills on Saturday.
• According to Joe Person, the Rams met with Panthers assistant HC Steve Wilks on Tuesday regarding their head-coaching job.
• According to Ian Rapoport, the Rams are scheduled to interview Lions DC Teryl Austin for their head coaching job at the end of this week.
• The Rams will interview Bills interim coach Anthony Lynn at some point in the next week, according to Ian Rapoport.
• Ian Rapoport reports that Patriots DC Matt Patricia has scheduled interviews with the Chargers and Rams for this weekend.
• Ian Rapoport reports that Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan will interview with the Rams, Jaguars, Broncos and 49ers between Friday and Saturday.
• Ian Rapoport reports that the Rams and Bills are also requesting permission to interview Dolphins HC Vance Joseph for their head-coaching job.
• The Rams will interview Panthers assistant head coach Steve Wilks for their head-coaching vacancy, according to Adam Schefter.
• Adam Schefter reports that the Rams have requested an interview with Bills interim coach Anthony Lynn and Patriots coordinators Matt Patricia and Josh McDaniels.
• Schefter adds that the Rams have also requested permission to interview with Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan.
• Cardinals HC Bruce Arians announced that the Bills, Jaguars and Rams have all requested permission to interview OC Harold Goodwin.
• Jason La Canfora reports that Redskins OC Sean McVay will interview with the Rams this week.
• Patriots OC Josh McDaniels is interviewing with the 49ers, Rams and Jaguars. (NFLTR)
• Saints GM Mickey Loomis is reportedly open to trading HC Sean Payton to the Rams. (NFLTR)
• The Rams are interviewing interim HC John Fassel on Monday and also have interest in Bills interim HC Anthony Lynn. (NFLTR)
• ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Rams are requesting permission to interview Jaguars interim HC Doug Marrone.
• Ian Rapoport reports that Josh McDaniels, Matt Patricia and Sean McVay are among the candidates to watch for the Rams, but Los Angeles plans to consider 8-10 candidates in total. Rapoport says that the Rams have had no contact yet with Saints regarding Sean Payton.

Interviews:

• Lions DC Teryl Austin (scheduled)
• Dolphins HC Vance Joseph (requested)
• Bills interim coach Anthony Lynn  (scheduled)
• Patriots OC Josh McDaniels (scheduled)
• Patriots DC Matt Patricia (scheduled)
• Falcons OC Kyle Shanahan (scheduled)
• Cardinals OC Harold Goodwin (scheduled)
• Rams interim HC John Fassel (scheduled)
• Redskins OC Sean McVay (scheduled)
• Panthers assistant HC Steve Wilks (scheduled)
• Texans LBs coach Mike Vrabel (requested)

We’ll have more regarding the Rams’ coaching search as the news is available.