WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. — The Los Angeles Rams are bringing a big name onto their coaching staff.
Los Angeles is adding former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator and Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury to its offensive coaching staff, a league source confirmed to The Athletic.
Kingsbury’s new role is not yet clear. The Rams have an opening at offensive coordinator after Mike LaFleur left to become the Arizona Cardinals’ head coach, and they must go through an interview process that includes satisfying the Rooney Rule, which states that the franchise must interview at least two minority or female candidates for the coordinator position.
The Rams have a strong internal candidate in passing game coordinator Nathan Scheelhaase, who interviewed for the Cleveland Browns’ head-coaching job, which went to Todd Monken. If Scheelhaase were to be named the Rams’ offensive coordinator, it could open up the passing game coordinator spot for Kingsbury. Scheelhaase could also remain in his position if Kingsbury were to take over the offensive coordinator role.
Kingsbury will bring an abundance of game-planning, leadership and play-calling experience to whichever role he ends up filling. He was head coach at Texas Tech from 2013 to 2018, where he coached Patrick Mahomes. He then was the Cardinals’ head coach from 2019 to 2022 and went 28-37-1 with one playoff appearance, in which his team lost to the Rams.
After spending the 2023 season in Los Angeles as an offensive analyst at USC, Kingsbury returned to the NFL for a two-year stint as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator.
In 2024, the Commanders enjoyed their finest season in more than three decades when they went 12-5 and made it to the NFC Championship game with quarterback Jayden Daniels, who earned NFL offensive rookie of the year honors. But the team’s hope of building on that season fell apart in 2025 as injuries ravaged the roster and sidelined Daniels for 10 games.
After the Commanders limped to a 5-12 finish, the team and Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways. One source with knowledge of Washington’s operations cited a difference in philosophy between Kingsbury and general manager Adam Peters in the development of Daniels.
But Daniels and backup quarterback Marcus Mariota lauded Kingsbury’s system and coaching style.
“I think so much of Kliff,” Mariota said in January. “One, a very good coach, unbelievable with the quarterbacks, but an even better person. When you’re able to play for somebody that you truly believe in and trust, I think that’s why I ended up playing my best. So, I’m biased. I think so highly of Kliff, and we’ll see what lays out for him.”
Kingsbury is a passing game specialist after playing quarterback in the NFL from 2003 to 2006. His offenses are known for a spread attack that utilizes run-pass option. The Rams were long an 11-personnel offense under Sean McVay but moved to more three-tight end sets last season. That opened up a more balanced attack, and the Rams finished No. 1 in points scored as Matthew Stafford won his first MVP award.
McVay will continue to call the plays but also works to empower his assistants, and he said that would remain true with the next offensive coordinator.
“You have an overall approach, but then you have to be specific with the actual pieces and people and try to be able to maximize their potential and their best chance to be able to affect us in a positive way,” McVay said.
Kingsbury is one of three additions to the Rams’ coaching staff so far, joining special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and special teams assistant Kyle Hoke, who came from the Cleveland Browns.
