After the Rams let Wade Phillips’ contract expire without re-upping it, the search for a replacement began. It was the first time Sean McVay had to replace his defensive coordinator, whom he hired when he first got the Rams job in 2017.
Considering how often McVay has promoted from within, Joe Barry and Aubrey Pleasant were both seen as strong candidates for the defensive coordinator job. McVay met with Barry about the position, but he decided to go in a different direction with Brandon Staley.
Now, keeping Barry on the staff as the team’s linebackers coach and assistant head coach could prove to be difficult for McVay. That’s because he’s in contention for USC’s defensive coordinator opening, which could be viewed as a career advancement for Barry.
Barry went to USC where he played linebacker, and also worked as their linebackers coach in 2010. He began his coaching career with the Trojans as a graduate assistant from 1994-1995, so he certainly has a history at USC.
It hasn’t yet been reported that Barry has been offered the job, or that he’s even the frontrunner. But there also hasn’t been much noise out of USC about any other candidates in Clay Helton’s search for his next DC.
Barry is an important coach for the Rams and someone they should fight hard to keep. He’s helped develop Cory Littleton into a terrific linebacker, one who’s going to cash in this offseason as a free agent. Having Barry on the staff could potentially sway Littleton’s decision in March, too.
That’s not to say the Rams wouldn’t be able to replace Barry, but they should make a concerted effort to keep him on their staff. Keeping him away from the school he played for and coached at for several years could be difficult, though.
