Los Angeles Rams to interview TCU assistant coach

Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is still piecing his staff back together following the team’s victory in Super Bowl 56. On Tuesday, On3’s Matt Zenitz reported the Rams are going to interview TCU assistant Ra’Shaad Samples for the running backs job in L.A.

Samples, the current running backs coach, assistant head coach and recruiting director at TCU under Sonny Dykes, has yet to coach a game for the Horned Frogs. He spent two seasons with Dykes at SMU, coaching both receivers and running backs.

The L.A. Rams current running backs coach, Thomas Brown, has been in the role for two seasons. Brown reportedly interviewed with the Vikings for the offensive coordinator job but the latest reports reveal that he plans to stay with McVay in Los Angeles. Brown received a promotion to assistant head coach of the Rams last season.

If Samples does leave the college ranks, it will be a big blow for TCU. The former Oklahoma State-turned-Houston player is one of the best recruiters in the nation, logging multiple nods from various outlets for his talent acquisition.

Samples boasts impressive resume

Ra’Shaad Samples, son of Duncanville High head coach Reginald Samples, began his coaching career at the University of Houston before joining the Texas Longhorns staff in 2018.

While at SMU, Samples helped Ulysses Bentley IV to FWAA Freshman All-America honors and AAC Rookie of the Year honors in 2020. The redshirt freshman was also a member of the Doak Walker and CFPA Award Watch Lists. He also developed Burlsworth Trophy nominee Tyler Lavine, a walk-on who had a career season as a redshirt-sophomore. Lavine finished with 61 carries, 310 yards and five TDs on 5.1 yards per carry.

In his first season at SMU, Samples helped mentor FWAA Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-AAC selection James Proche. He led the nation with 111 receptions. Proche went on to go in the sixth round of the NFL draft to the Baltimore Ravens.