Rams make change to coaching staff

Aubrey Pleasant was a candidate to be promoted to the Rams’ defensive coordinator position as the team replaced Raheem Morris. He did not land that gig, but he has seen his importance to the organization acknowledged with a new title.

Pleasant — Los Angeles’ defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator — has been given the additional title of assistant head coach, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. He adds that head coach Sean McVay‘s announcement of the promotion to the team was well received, a sign of how Pleasant is viewed in the organization.

The Wisconsin grad began coaching in 2010, one year after his playing career ended. Pleasant’s first college opportunity came at Michigan, and he spent the 2011 and ’12 campaigns with the Wolverines. That was followed by a jump to the NFL level, which saw him spend time in Cleveland and Washington before his first Rams stint. That tenure (from 2017-20) came with the title of cornerbacks coach.

Pleasant moved on to the Lions and Packers, working as an offensive consultant with Green Bay in 2022. He was brought back by the Rams last offseason, though, and he was a key figure on Morris’ defensive staff. The latter took the Falcons’ head coaching gig during this year’s hiring cycle, creating the Los Angeles DC vacancy. That post was ultimately filled when another internal candidate (linebackers coach Chris Shula) was promoted.

Pleasant spoke with the Rams before they decided to tap Shula for the coordinator gig. He was also connected to the Packers’ DC opening, indicating that he could be a strong coordinator candidate in the 2025 hiring cycle and beyond. Taking on his latest title could also help Pleasant’s future head coaching aspirations.