The Los Angeles Rams hired 30 year old Sean McVay as their new head football coach yesterday. McVay is the youngest head coach in NFL history.

By John Sarianides

The Los Angeles Rams took a chance on potential by hiring 30 year old Sean McVay as their new head football coach. The grandson of former 49ers executive John McVay did a terrific job with Kirk Cousins in Washington and the Rams are hoping he can do the same for Jared Goff.

History is not on McVay’s side when it comes to becoming a head coach at a young age. Lane Kiffin, Josh McDaniels, Raheem Morris and Eric Mangini were all in their early thirties when they got hired and all of them struggled and were eventually fired. They were also older than McVay when they got their respective jobs.

Conversely, there have been other young first time head coaches that got hired in their early thirties and were very successful. John Madden, Don Shula, Al Davis and Bill Cowher were all young head coaches and went on to have great careers.

Can McVay succeed long term? Sure but there will be growing pains. It is a big jump going from offensive coordinator to head coach and it is an even bigger jump when you are only 30 years old.

To McVay’s credit, he has indicated that he wants to hire a veteran staff with experience and he took a major step towards that goal last night when the Rams hired Wade Phillips to be the team’s new defensive coordinator. Phillips will serve as a mentor and an experienced sounding board for McVay.

I give the Rams credit for hiring Mcvay. On the surface, it is a risky move but when you think about it, it really isn’t. The Rams have the youngest roster in the league with only one player over the age of 30. If there was ever a situation for a young coach to inherit, it is this one.

McVay will be fine as long as long as he allows his staff to coach and doesn’t try to do everything. He will get the time necessary to make the Rams a contender. Owner Stan Kroenke is a patient man so he will give McVay four to five years to turn things around and position the Rams to contend.

The Rams took a major risk hiring McVay but if they stick with him, this young coach will blossom and he could be the man who makes the Rams relevant again.