Rams Hire Broncos OLB Coach Brandon Staley to Replace Wade Phillips as Defensive Coordinator
By Karl Rasmussen
After the Los Angeles Rams made the surprising decision to part ways with defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, the team began its pursuit for a replacement.
Well, that search came to a swift end, as the Rams found their man.
According to reports, the Rams have poached Broncos' outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley to take over the defense.
Source confirms @RapSheet that #Broncos OLB coach Brandon Staley joining Rams as defensive coordinator.
— Ryan O'Halloran (@ryanohalloran) January 11, 2020
Staley made the move to Denver alongside head coach Vic Fangio, having spent the 2017 and 2018 seasons working alongside him in Chicago.
He coached in the college ranks at John Carroll University, James Madison University and Tennessee, among other schools.
Per Ian Rapoport, the deal is not yet finalized, but is expected to be signed in short order.
Brandon Staley flew out yesterday and spent the day with #Rams coach Sean McVay. They still need to work out the deal, but Brandon Staley should be the new DC https://t.co/QFLedCUVtQ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 11, 2020
After a disappointing 2019 campaign, the Rams are looking to freshen things up on the coaching staff, and the surprising hire of Staley will certainly offer a new look to the team's defense.
Phillips had been in his role in LA since 2017, but now the keys to the defense have been passed along to Staley.