The NFL is unapologetically a copycat league wherein struggling teams hire coaches and front office personnel from franchises that constantly succeed.
That’s why coaches who learned from legendary mentors get opportunities elsewhere.
Disciples of Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells were a dime a dozen after they won Super Bowls.
The same goes for former Bill Belichick collaborators who took over the reins of several teams.
An #NFL team hiring another coach from the Belichick coaching tree 😂
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 1, 2022
However, the fruits from that tree quickly rot once they get out of New England.
The league need not worry because another budding coaching tree shows much promise from what the longtime Patriots mentor offers.
Sean McVay has taken the league by storm since he took over the Los Angeles Rams in 2017.
He’s already been to one Super Bowl and will lead the team again in the upcoming title game on their home field.
But his brilliance influenced several young mentors to be head coaches as well.
What Makes McVay Great?
McVay must have dazzled the Rams’ top brass with his innovative system and impeccable memory, as shown in this clip with Chris Simms and Adam Lefkoe.
After five seasons, he is yet to have a losing season with the team.
This is amazing. #SeanMcVay #RamsHouse pic.twitter.com/CVpk3AKnAD
— Jay Olstad (@jayolstadtv) February 1, 2022
He missed the playoffs once, which coincided with the team’s only year under his wing without double-digit victories.
That sustained level of excellence convinced other teams to hire his former deputies.
Now, those squads are also reaping the rewards of hiring McVay’s associates.
Brandon Staley Is Making Waves With The Chargers
The Rams share SoFi stadium with the Los Angeles Chargers, led by head coach Brandon Staley.
He was the Rams’ defensive coordinator before joining the other team in Los Angeles.
The Chargers have a good team, led by quarterback Justin Herbert and linebacker Joey Bosa.
For all his coaching acumen, Staley must learn how to get a better feel of the game, especially during situational football.
Assuming Kevin O’Connell’s deal with the Vikings becomes official after the Super Bowl, he’d be the fourth former Sean McVay Rams assistant to become an NFL head coach, joining Matt LaFleur, Zac Taylor and Brandon Staley. McVay is in his fifth season as Rams head coach.
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 3, 2022
He has been on the hot seat numerous times for keeping the offense on the field on fourth down.
His gamble paid off at times, but they ended up losing winnable games because of those aggressive decisions.
But his most controversial decision was the timeout called against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 18.
Take away those blunders, and Staley still had a solid rookie season as Chargers head coach.
His Former Assistants Are Taking Off
Two of McVay’s former staffers made it to the 2021 NFL playoffs.
Former Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur won his third straight NFC North title and has 13 regular-season wins in each of those seasons.
Sadly, they lost at Lambeau Field to the San Francisco 49ers during the Divisional Weekend.
Meanwhile, former Rams quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor will be coaching against his former boss as the Cincinnati Bengals compete in Super Bowl LVI.
Sean McVay and Zac Taylor are making history 😮 pic.twitter.com/AQNK3oHuy4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 1, 2022
After the 2021 season, current Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell will also leave the team to take over as Minnesota Vikings’ head coach.
McVay must be one good teacher whose former associates are enjoying their triumphs.
Therefore, NFL or even college teams looking for a new coach must keep an eye on the people working with McVay.
They could be the individuals that can bring good fortune to their program.
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