LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Rams announced today the hiring of SEAN MCVAY, who has been named the 23rd full-time head coach in franchise history.
"This is a great day as we welcome Sean McVay as our new head coach," Rams Owner/Chairman E. STANLEY KROENKE said. "The accomplishments and success that he has had in less than a decade in our league are impressive. We are confident in his vision to make this team a consistent winner and we will all continue to work together to achieve our ultimate goal – bringing a Rams Super Bowl championship home to Los Angeles."
The Rams will hold an introductory news conference on Friday, Jan. 13 at 12 p.m. PST.
McVay, who enters his ninth NFL season in 2017, joins the Rams following three seasons as offensive coordinator for the Washington Redskins. He was originally promoted to Washington's coordinator position after serving as the club's tight ends coach for three seasons (2011-13) and one as an offensive assistant (2010).
"I am incredibly honored by this opportunity and I want to start by thanking Mr. Kroenke and Kevin Demoff for their faith in me to lead the Los Angeles Rams as head coach," McVay said. "Collectively, we are committed to building a championship caliber team, and I'm excited to start that process and make our fans proud."
Last season his offensive unit finished second in the NFL in passing yards per game (297.4), passing yards per play (7.84) and yards per play (6.4). Under McVay's leadership, the 2016 Redskins became the first team in franchise history to average more than 400 yards per game in a single season and their 6,454 total net yards also set a team record, which was previously established in 1989. The Redskins concluded 2016 as the NFL's third-ranked offense and with three Pro Bowlers on offense (TE Jordan Reed, G Brandon Scherff, T Trent Williams).
McVay's group posted a breakout campaign in his second year as offensive coordinator in 2015, including record-setting performances by quarterback Kirk Cousins and tight end Jordan Reed. McVay's scheme and tutelage helped Cousins break Redskins records for attempts (543), completions (379), passing yards (4,166) and 300-yard passing games (seven) in a single season. Reed has been a direct beneficiary of McVay's work, spending 2013 as a member of his unit during McVay's time as tight ends coach and being a focal point of the offense in 2015, as Reed recorded 87 receptions for 952 yards (both team records for a tight end) with 11 receiving touchdowns (one shy of the team record) in 2015.
Collectively, McVay's 2015 offense recorded top-10 rankings in third down percentage (43.5, fifth in the NFL), red zone scoring percentage (61.2, eighth), yards per play (5.6, 10th) and points per game (24.3, 10th). The Redskins also led the NFL with a team-record 69.5 completion percentage in 2015, leading the league in the category for the 11th time in team history and the first time since 1970.
In his first season as Washington's playcaller in 2014, he helped spawn a top-10 league ranking in yards per play (5.7) despite starting three different quarterbacks. His work with the three passers was instrumental in setting a team record for completion percentage (66.5 percent, later broken in 2015), and helping facilitate the explosive debut of wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Jackson averaged a league-best 20.9 yards per reception and became only the fourth player in team history to lead the NFL in that category.
In 2013, McVay played a crucial role in Reed's development, as the then-rookie compiled 45 receptions for 499 yards – both Redskins' single-season rookie tight end records – despite Reed playing in only nine games. Under McVay's tutelage, Reed joined Chris Cooley (2004) as the only Redskins tight ends named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team. In addition, McVay helped tight end Logan Paulsen from an undrafted free agent into a 30-game starter from 2010-13, with Paulsen increasing his reception totals each season.
During Washington's NFC East championship season in 2012, McVay's unit produced despite losing starting tight end Fred Davis to a torn Achilles tendon in Week 7. Davis had led the team in both receptions (24) and receiving yards (325) through seven games before being placed on the Reserve/Injured list. McVay guided a unit that provided reliable receiving options on top of contributing significantly as blockers to the Redskins' league-leading 2,709 rushing yards.
In 2011, McVay played an integral role in Davis' emergence, as the then fourth-year tight end surpassed his previous career highs despite playing in only 12 games. Davis caught 59 passes for 796 yards, the second-highest total on the team in both categories. Before missing the final four games of the season, Davis was on pace to set a franchise record in receiving yards by a tight end and to post the first 1,000-yard receiving season by a tight end in Redskins history.
McVay joined the Redskins prior to the 2010 season after an undefeated regular season with the Florida Tuskers of the United Football League (UFL). The Tuskers finished a perfect 6-0 before losing in the UFL's inaugural championship game.
McVay originally entered the National Football League as an offensive assistant with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2008.
McVay graduated from Miami University (Ohio) where he played wide receiver from 2004-07, earning Miami's Scholar-Athlete Award in 2007. He is the grandson of John McVay, who oversaw five Super Bowl championship squads for the San Francisco 49ers and was inducted into the 49ers Hall of Fame in 2013.
