Who leads Rams 2026 coaching staff to instant results?

Rams 2026 coaching staff: New hires, promotions and immediate impact

Rams 2026 coaching staff arrives with a clear purpose: accelerate improvement and fix lingering issues. Kliff Kingsbury joins as Assistant Head Coach, while Nate Scheelhaase remains as Offensive Coordinator. Several key promotions and hires promise instant change on both sides of the ball.

Robert Woods transitions into a coaching role and should boost receiver development quickly. Brian Johnson returns from Philadelphia Eagles experience as a Senior Offensive Assistant to reshape play design. Jimmy Lake moves up to Pass Game Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach, tightening secondary scheming. Dave Ragone, now quarterbacks coach and associate coordinator, pairs with Rob Calabrese and Eric Yarber. Because Brian Allen and Zak Kromer will guide the offensive line, run blocking should improve. Meanwhile, Bubba Ventrone and Kyle Hoke will steady special teams immediately. Overall, these moves blend veteran insight with fresh coaches, and they aim to produce quick results. Therefore, fans should expect more tweaks before training camp.

Kliff Kingsbury and the Rams 2026 coaching staff leadership

Kliff Kingsbury joins the Rams as Assistant Head Coach and brings offensive vision. He has NFL head coaching experience and a background as a college offensive innovator. Because Kingsbury understands modern passing concepts, he should help scheme quicker reads for quarterbacks and receivers.

• Previous experience
  • Former Arizona Cardinals head coach and Texas Tech head coach
  • Known for air raid concepts and quarterback development
• Expected contributions
  • Immediate offensive play design input
  • Mentoring quarterbacks and game planning with Nate Scheelhaase

Offensive additions in the Rams 2026 coaching staff

Brian Johnson arrives as a Senior Offensive Assistant after serving as Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator two years ago. Therefore, his NFL coordinator experience should sharpen play structure and situational calls.

• Previous experience
  • Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator (recent)
  • College coaching and NFL playcalling background
• Expected contributions
  • Refine red zone and third down offense
  • Support Nate Scheelhaase and Dave Ragone on scripting

Robert Woods moves into coaching as assistant wide receivers coach after retiring as an NFL starter. His recent playing experience gives instant credibility in meetings and on the practice field.

• Previous experience
  • Longtime NFL wide receiver with multiple teams
  • Strong route running and technique teacher
• Expected contributions
  • Lift receiver fundamentals and route timing
  • Mentor younger wideouts during camp

Defensive and backfield hires shaping the Rams 2026 coaching staff

Robert Wright joins from Syracuse as a Defensive Assistant. Michael Hunter comes from Ohio State as Assistant Defensive Backs Coach. Because both bring college and pro techniques, they will add detail to coverage and tackling fundamentals.

• Robert Wright
  • Previous experience: Syracuse staff member
  • Contribution: gap responsibility coaching and film breakdown
• Michael Hunter
  • Previous experience: Ohio State defensive staff
  • Contribution: coach slot and boundary corner techniques

Other notable additions include Bubba Ventrone and Kyle Hoke on special teams and the elevation of Dave Ragone to quarterbacks coach and associate offensive coordinator. For more context on how the new staff reshapes short term plans see this link. For a look at offensive fixes read this link. For details on Dave Ragone’s promotion visit this link.

Promotions reshaping the Rams 2026 coaching staff

The Rams made several internal moves designed to add clarity and continuity. These promotions address defensive alignment, quarterback development, and receiver coaching. Below are the key role changes and what they likely mean on the field.

Jimmy Lake — Pass Game Coordinator and Defensive Backs Coach

• Previous experience
  • Promoted from Senior Defensive Assistant
  • Background coaching NFL secondaries and college defenses
• Expected contributions
  • Tighten pass coverage schemes and alignments
  • Improve communication in the secondary, especially pre snap
  • Coach technique and situational coverages during practices

Nate Scheelhaase — Offensive Coordinator

• Previous experience
  • Returning coordinator responsibilities within the Rams offense
  • Worked closely on play design and scripting in recent seasons
• Expected contributions
  • Lead offensive game planning and weekly scripts
  • Coordinate calls with Dave Ragone and Kliff Kingsbury for cohesion
  • Focus on tempo, situational play, and third down efficiency

Dave Ragone — Quarterbacks Coach and Associate Offensive Coordinator

• Previous experience
  • Promoted to quarterbacks coach after serving on the offensive staff
  • Known for quarterback mechanics and film study routines
• Expected contributions
  • Develop quarterback reads and footwork in practice
  • Co-author game plans and refine passing concepts
  • Bridge communication between play callers and quarterbacks

Eric Yarber — Senior Offensive Assistant and Wide Receivers role

• Previous experience
  • Shifted from primary wide receivers coach
  • Longtime position coach with strong route concept knowledge
• Expected contributions
  • Provide veteran coaching support and scheming input
  • Mentor Rob Calabrese and Robert Woods on receiver drills

Brian Allen — Assistant Offensive Line Coach

• Previous experience
  • Promoted after time as an offensive assistant
  • Works alongside Zak Kromer on line fundamentals
• Expected contributions
  • Improve run blocking technique and line calls
  • Aid in pass protection coaching and group cohesion

Other staff changes include Bubba Ventrone and Kyle Hoke leading special teams. Overall, these tweaks favor continuity and clearer responsibilities. As a result, coaches can focus on player development quickly before camp.

Rams 2026 coaching staff at a glance

Below is a quick comparison of new hires versus promoted staff on the Rams 2026 coaching staff.

The Rams 2026 coaching staff overhaul blends fresh ideas with proven experience. New hires bring NFL and college acumen, while promotions preserve continuity. Because the staff combines strategic thinkers and hands-on position coaches, the team should show clearer identity on offense and defense.

Kliff Kingsbury, Brian Johnson, and Robert Woods add immediate credibility to the offensive room. Meanwhile, Jimmy Lake and Michael Hunter strengthen the secondary. Dave Ragone’s expanded role and Nate Scheelhaase’s playcalling should sharpen quarterback reads and situational execution. As a result, expect improved third down and red zone work early in the season.

Special teams and the offensive line get focused attention from Bubba Ventrone, Kyle Hoke, Brian Allen, and Zak Kromer. Therefore, fundamentals and consistency should rise before training camp. Overall, these moves aim to accelerate development and deliver measurable gains on game day.

For ongoing coverage and analysis of the Rams 2026 coaching staff, follow Rams News LLC at ramsnews.com and on Twitter X @ZachGatsby. The tone is optimistic, and the outlook is forward looking. Fans should watch staff cohesion and early practice reports for signs of progress.

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