The Athletic released its “NFL 50 under 40: Young coaches ascending, along with other league difference-makers.” list and the Los Angeles Rams were well represented.
Los Angeles Rams On Top 50 Under 40 List
Sean McVay — Head Coach
“Is this guy 40 yet? Not quite. The youngest Super Bowl-winning head coach in NFL history turned 39 this year, but it seems like he’s lived an entire lifetime of coaching since he was initially hired to lead the Rams in 2017 — at age 30. After considering a departure from football in 2022, McVay helmed the pivot from the “F them picks” championship era to the team’s current draft-and-develop model and postseason appearances in back-to-back years. McVay, the winningest head coach in franchise history, also has led the Rams to two NFC championships, and four NFC West titles and missed the playoffs just twice in his eight seasons.“
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Aubrey Pleasant — Assistant head coach/defensive backs
“Sean McVay promoted Pleasant to assistant head coach as the 2024 season began, and considers the defensive coach to be one of his closest confidants. Pleasant’s work as a technical coach and his knack for reaching players helped the Rams’ young defense exceed expectations after major roster turnover in 2023, and transition into one of the NFL’s ascending groups quickly after Aaron Donald’s retirement last spring. Pleasant interviewed for the Chicago Bears’ defensive coordinator vacancy this winter.“
Nate Scheelhaase — Pass game coordinator
“A former Illinois quarterback who still holds records there, including for scrimmage yards (10,634), Scheelhaase coached in various roles at Illinois and Iowa State (where he was offensive coordinator) between 2015-23. Scheelhaase got on Sean McVay’s radar last spring and has taken on a significant role in assisting the Rams head coach and the quarterback’s room.
“He will be a head coach in two years,” said one senior NFC executive of Scheelhaase, who interviewed for the Bucs’ and Jaguars’ offensive coordinator vacancies before McVay talked him off the interview circuit with the intent of promoting him in Los Angeles.“
Chris Shula — Defensive coordinator
“A first-time coordinator in 2024 after a long stint as a position coach in Los Angeles, Shula faced a steep task after future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald’s retirement last spring. Week by week as the season continued, Shula and his assistants steadily improved a unit that featured all rookies or second-year starters along the defensive line, undrafted free agents at inside linebacker, and either rookies or second- and third-tier free agents at safety and cornerback. In December, the defense held opponents under 10 points per game for three consecutive weeks and stifled the high-powered Vikings in their wild-card win.”
James Gladstone — Director of Scouting Strategy
“The Rams nailed their last two draft classes, identifying 10 starters through that span with just one first-round pick. Standout players from the 2023 and 2024 classes include receiver Puka Nacua, outside linebackers Byron Young and Jared Verse, defensive linemen Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske and guard Steve Avila. Turner was a finalist for Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2023 while Verse won it in 2024. Gladstone oversaw the strategic overhaul of the Rams’ draft processes after 2022 and has since led their modern and complex methods. He is a finalist for the Jaguars’ GM vacancy, with those in-person interviews scheduled Wednesday.”
Tony Pastoors — VP of football business/administration
“Pastoors was the financial architect of the “F them picks” Super Bowl-winning Rams era, and then the abrupt pivot into their sprint rebuild of 2023. The Rams took a risk by incurring the second-most dead money in NFL history the latter season as they gutted their championship roster. They balanced a 14-member rookie class with cheap but quality veterans and became a wild-card playoff team that found its future young core of players. Pastoors, who now works directly with owner Stan Kroenke upon team president Kevin Demoff’s promotion, is believed to be on a team president track in L.A. or elsewhere after drawing interest over the last few years.”
Former Los Angeles Rams on Top 50 Under 40
