The Arizona Cardinals have officially announced the hiring of Mike LaFleur as their new head coach. This decision comes on the heels of LaFleur”s successful tenure as the offensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams, where he played a crucial role in their offensive strategies.
LaFleur, 38, stepped up significantly during the recent game against the Cardinals, taking on a larger role in play calling due to Sean McVay“s illness. His leadership on the field was a contributing factor to the Rams” commanding 45-17 victory over Arizona.
Over the past three seasons with the Rams, LaFleur collaborated closely with McVay, engaging in the offensive planning process and helping to install new plays during practice. Although he did not directly call the plays, his input was vital in shaping the offensive game plan.
This latest coaching change further extends the reach of McVay”s coaching tree, as LaFleur becomes the fourth offensive coordinator from his staff to secure a head coaching position in the NFL. His predecessors include Matt LaFleur with the Green Bay Packers, Kevin O”Connell with the Minnesota Vikings, and Liam Coen with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With LaFleur”s hiring, three coaches from the McVay-Kyle Shanahan coaching tree are now leading teams in the NFC West, as Shanahan is at the helm of the San Francisco 49ers.
As the Rams begin the process of finding a replacement for LaFleur, in-house candidate Nate Scheelhaase, who serves as the passing game coordinator, is expected to be a strong contender. Scheelhaase has garnered respect within the front office and the locker room, having interviewed for head coaching positions earlier this year.
Wide receiver Puka Nacua praised Scheelhaase”s communication skills, stating, “His ability to communicate what our job is from Wednesday through Sunday has been a blessing in our room.” This endorsement highlights Scheelhaase”s importance to the team”s offensive cohesion.
With LaFleur”s move to Arizona, the Rams will face him twice next season from the opposite sideline, adding an intriguing subplot to their matchups.
