One of the most important relationships for an NFL franchise is the one between the head coach and the front office. Coaches don’t typically make personnel decisions when it comes to the draft and free agency, but they’re obviously consulted.
The communication between the head coach and general manager is vital to the success of the team, which is part of the reason the Los Angeles Rams have enjoyed such a quick turnaround. Sean McVay and Les Snead have already proved to be one of the best coach-GM duos in the league, being at the center of the Rams’ recent success.
Former quarterbacks coach and current head coach of the Bengals, Zac Taylor, got a firsthand look at the connection between McVay and the front office, marveling at how well they work together.
“In L.A., I saw a great relationship between Sean, Les Snead and (team president) Kevin Demoff,” Taylor said at the NFL owners meetings, via the Arizona Republic. “That’s one of the reasons why that organization was so successful, because they were one unit. There were no egos there. They were able to communicate effectively and put the best team on the field.”
General managers and personnel executives have to identify players that fit the coach’s scheme, which is where McVay and even Wade Phillips come into play. Phillips was reportedly a “big fan” of Clay Matthews, and not surprisingly, the Rams signed the former Packers linebacker.
This applies to the draft, too. Ideally, scouts, front office members and coaches will all be in agreeance on a player’s fit with the team. It’s not enough for only Snead to like a prospect if he won’t work well in McVay’s system.
The combination of McVay and Snead have the Rams in excellent shape moving forward and should have fans excited about the future. They’ve only worked together for two years, but it’s hard not to love what they’ve accomplished already.
