New assistant Mike LaFleur can add 49ers flavor to Rams offense

New Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur recalls the call.

In 2010, after Sean McVay applied for an NFL quality control coaching job, Washington’s assistant Matt LaFleur called his younger brother to gush about the candidate.

“I think we all know what he was talking about,” Mike LaFleur said Tuesday during a video conference call with reporters.

Thirteen years after learning about the then-precocious McVay, LaFleur is preparing to work alongside him as the Rams try to recover from a disastrous 5-12 record, the worst performance of a Super Bowl season -Champions in NFL history.

LaFleur replaces Liam Coen, who left the Rams’ staff after one season to return to Kentucky as an offensive coordinator and play-caller.

LaFleur, who turns 36 next month, spent the last two seasons as offensive coordinator and play-caller for the New York Jets, a relationship that ended after the team finished 7-10 under sophomore coach Robert Saleh had.

The Jets finished 25th in overall offense, 15th in passing, 26th in rushing, and 29th in scoring.

“There were things I didn’t want to share, what I would do differently or anything,” LaFleur said, “but it was a great learning experience of how to build a roster with a lot of youngsters, and a lot of the things I was proud of.” we have done.”

McVay has given no indication that he will relinquish his duties as playmaker. As with those who preceded LaFleur in the offensive coordinator position, LaFleur’s role is expected to be largely administrative.

The Rams’ staff also includes associate head coach Thomas Brown, senior offensive assistant Greg Olson and quarterbacks coach Zac Robinson, all of whom were acquired from McVay to hire LaFleur.

Accepting McVay’s offer with the Rams was “a pretty easy decision,” LaFleur said.

“You go to a company that has won, knows how to win, wants to win, has the right process and culture to win,” LaFleur said.

LaFleur met McVay in 2010 during organized team activities in Washington, when LaFleur was quarterbacks coach at St. Joseph’s College, a Division II program in Indiana.

San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan (left) speaks with assistant coach Mike LaFleur in 2020.

(Jeff Chiu / Associated Press)

Five years later, LaFleur became an offensive assistant with the Atlanta Falcons, for which Kyle Shanahan was offensive coordinator.

In 2017, LaFleur followed Shanahan to the San Francisco 49ers while his brother joined McVay’s first Rams team as offensive coordinator.

Mike LaFleur said he’s stayed in touch with McVay over the years.

“Whether it’s just schematic or just catching up very quickly,” LaFleur said.

LaFleur stated that he was prepared for a role that would not involve play-calling. His immediate focus is helping McVay complete his coaching staff – the Rams are still looking for an offensive line coach – get to know the roster and find a home for his family and a school for his children.

During the season, “I’ll be there to support and do my part,” he said.

LaFleur will be tasked with helping improve an injury-ridden offense that ranked last in the NFL for total yards per game. The Rams ranked 27th in passing yards, rushing yards and points per game.

LaFleur will tutor young Jets quarterback Zach Wilson and will work with Matthew Stafford, a 14-year veteran. Stafford, who was sidelined towards the end of the season with a spinal cord injury, is expected to be a full participant in offseason workouts.

“Coaches can often teach players many things, but in some cases players can also teach coaches many things,” LaFleur said. “So I look forward to working with him, learning from him and anything I can offer him I will do.

“I can’t wait to build that relationship with him.”

Star wide receiver Cooper Kupp is also expected to be recovering from a season-ending ankle injury.

LaFleur looks forward to expanding on the principles of an offensive system used in San Francisco, Green Bay and New York.

“Everyone takes it, and individually you’re going to make it what you believe in, but you also have to fit it with your players and your roster,” LaFleur said. “And Sean has done that better than anyone…

“So it’s just going to be fun to mesh that together for what we’re going to see in this 2023 release.”