Rams Make Unexpected Coaching Hire on Sunday

WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams quietly added another layer to their defensive brain trust on Sunday, reaching into the collegiate ranks to secure former Syracuse defensive coordinator Robert Wright as a defensive assistant, the team’s second defensive-side addition of the offseason.

News of the move was first reported by College Football Insider Pete Thamel, who noted that Wright arrives with coordinator experience at both Syracuse and Buffalo. In his debut season with the Orange, Wright helped orchestrate a 10-3 campaign that included a marquee upset of then-No. 6 Miami. A longtime disciple of Mike Elko, Wright has also made coaching stops at Duke and Texas A&M, bringing a spread of schemes forged in some of college football’s most competitive environments.

Wright’s hiring continues head coach Sean McVay’s well-documented pattern of mining the college game for coaching talent. Since taking over in 2017, McVay has repeatedly plucked assistants from the NCAA ranks, a strategy he defended earlier this month when discussing the Rams’ prior hire of defensive backs coach Michael Hunter.

“There are great coaches everywhere,” McVay said. “Whether it’s little league, high school, college, or professional, our job is to identify them. We’ve had some fortunate examples of getting exposure to special people through different connections that have really worked out.”

McVay pointed to current staffers such as pass game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase (Iowa State) and special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone as proof that collegiate backgrounds can translate seamlessly to the NFL level. The Rams’ coaching search process, McVay emphasized, is rooted in due diligence and long-term cohesion rather than quick fixes.

“You don’t want to rush it,” he said. “The cohesiveness and staff continuity is so freaking important to me. Who you bring in and their makeup is vital because we’ve got a bunch of high-character guys that push each other in the right ways. It just takes one miss to mess up those dynamics.”

Wright will now be tasked with integrating into a defense that underwent significant retooling a year ago. While his exact role within defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s unit has yet to be detailed, his track record of elevating college units suggests the Rams see schematic upside and teaching acumen worth investing in.

The transaction also underscores the organization’s commitment to blending veteran NFL minds with fresh collegiate perspectives, a balance McVay believes is critical as the league’s tactical landscape continues to evolve. With organized team activities still months away, Wright will have ample time to acclimate to the pro game and begin implementing the principles that made his Syracuse defense one of the nation’s most opportunistic.

Los Angeles finished last season middle-of-the-pack in takeaways; if Wright’s collegiate success carries over, expect an emphasis on creating turnovers and situational discipline once training camp opens this summer.