In Woodland Hills, California, the Los Angeles Rams have officially added Robert Woods to their coaching staff, emphasizing his transition from player to coach under head coach Sean McVay. The decision, announced in early March 2026, is more than a gesture of goodwill toward former players; McVay asserts it reflects a strong belief in Woods’ coaching abilities. Alongside Robert Woods, Brian Allen has also been brought onto the offensive staff, representing McVay’s commitment to nurturing coaching talent from within his former players.
McVay addressed misconceptions that these hires might be favors, stating emphatically that the coaching additions are based on merit.
“It makes you feel great (that former players want to come back and coach for him),”
McVay said.
“You feel really fortunate when you’re reflective of these relationships that are built over time when you start having guys come back around and want to be a part of it. I love those guys. We’re not doing favors. It’s because I believe they’re going to be really good coaches too. It means a lot. I don’t take it for granted but why you get into this is for the relationships. I’m very fortunate that those guys are coming back and they’re going to provide tremendous value for us.”
Brian Allen’s Role and Contributions on the Offensive Line
Brian Allen, who initially started in a consulting role at the beginning of last season before securing a full-time position, will serve as an assistant offensive line coach. He will work closely with offensive line coach Ryan Wendell and assistant offensive line coach Zak Kromer. McVay praised Allen’s unique connection to the game, particularly his passion and his detailed understanding of the center position from his playing days with the team.
“He’s extremely conscientious,” McVay remarked.
“He had a great way of being able to bring people with him. He studied the game like a coach when he was playing. Once he got into it, he did a great job with some of the roles and responsibilities we gave him last year. Where I felt him the most was on the grass. I mean, the passion he has for working with some of the younger offensive linemen or even his ability to see things in real time, whether that be in practice or games. I love the rapport that he had working alongside Ryan Wendell. There’s obviously a familiarity that he and Zak Kromer have with one another. When Brian was playing… Zak’s been here from the beginning. There were a lot of things that made me excited.”
Robert Woods’ New Role Supporting the Wide Receivers Group
Robert Woods is embarking on his coaching career less than three weeks after officially retiring as a Rams player through a one-day contract. He joins the staff as an assistant wide receivers coach, working under Rob Calabrese and senior offensive assistant Eric Yarber. Woods’ close relationship with McVay, maintained through the latter stages of his playing career, laid the groundwork for this coaching opportunity.
McVay spoke highly of Woods’ potential to excel in this role, emphasizing the strength of the surrounding coaching personnel.
“I think he’ll be tremendous and he’ll be around great guys,”
McVay said.
“Eric Yarber is as good as it gets to be able to train guys with his energy and his experience. (He’ll work with) Rob Calabrese and then there’ll be some other guys with (offensive coordinator) Nate (Scheelhaase) and (associate coordinator/quarterbacks coach) Dave (Ragone). I think it’s a great staff and Robert will provide tremendous value to those receivers.”
The Importance of Experience and Character in Coaching
Both Woods and Allen bring firsthand experience as players within the Rams’ system, which McVay believes will benefit them in teaching and communication. However, McVay stresses that the defining factor in their coaching success will be their personal qualities and professionalism, demonstrated throughout their athletic careers.
“I think they just know what we’re about,”
McVay explained.
“They’ve been here and there’s alignment. I think one of the biggest things that we really talk about all the time is clarity, intent and alignment. These guys are aligned with us. There’s clarity in terms of what we want it to look like. I’m not talking about just the ball, but how you move, how we act, interact and respond. I know what these guys are about. I’ve seen them through challenging moments. I’ve seen them stay humble through a bunch of good moments. I think when you work as closely as you do with these players and coaches, you get a tremendous sense of who they are. I feel really confident that I know who these guys are and that’s why I feel confident in the projection of them being great coaches. There are a lot of the things that made them great players that I do believe will translate to them being great coaches.”
Challenges and Growth Ahead for Newly Appointed Coaches
McVay is transparent about the demands and sacrifices associated with stepping into NFL coaching roles, making sure Allen and Woods understand the commitment involved. While both coaches may encounter unfamiliar tasks—such as mastering software tools like Visio for playbook creation—McVay emphasizes the support system and learning environment they have around them.
He remarked,
“There will be some things Allen and Woods haven’t done, such as how do you use a computer, doing the breakdowns, drawing some of the Visio things.”
This honest assessment highlights the realistic expectations set for their development, balanced by the guidance they will receive from experienced colleagues.
“I do think that there are certain guys, they say they want to coach, but do they really want to do everything?”
McVay said.
“These are two guys that I believe are the types of people that follow through with it and if they get into it and it’s not for them, I know that they’re going to give us everything that they have. But I’ve got a funny feeling that they’re going to be really good and most importantly, really impactful on the people that they come across. That’s really what coaching is about.”
Implications for the Rams’ Coaching Future
The additions of Robert Woods and Brian Allen to the Rams’ coaching staff represent a strategic investment in the team’s next generation of coaches. Their blend of playing experience, dedication, and character positions them to contribute significantly to the development of players and the overall team culture. Surrounded by a strong coaching ecosystem including veterans like Rob Calabrese, Eric Yarber, Nate Scheelhaase, and Dave Ragone, Woods and Allen have the resources to quickly grow in their roles.
As the Rams continue to evolve under McVay’s leadership, integrating respected former players like Robert Woods into coaching roles highlights the organization’s focus on continuity and internal growth. This approach hints at a future where the team’s culture and system are reinforced by individuals who deeply understand and embody the Rams’ philosophy and objectives.
The next generation of coaches. pic.twitter.com/SWn6B614Z5
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 6, 2026
