Rams announce Kliff Kingsbury as assistant head coach as Robert Woods joins the staff

INDIANAPOLIS — Kliff Kingsbury’s move to Los Angeles to join good friend Sean McVay on the Rams coaching staff will come with a new title.

Meanwhile, the Rams are adding another old friend to the coaching staff: recently retired Robert Woods, who is joining the club as the assistant wide receivers coach.

Then-Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury shakes hands with Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay in 2022. AP

Kingsbury, the former Cardinals head coach who spent the last two seasons in Washington as the Commanders’ offensive coordinator, joined McVay in Los Angeles during Super Bowl week.

While his exact role was not immediately clear then or now, it sounds like Kingsbury will be McVay’s right-hand man with the title of assistant head coach.

McVay is the club’s offensive leader and chief playcaller. Former pass-game coordinator Nate Scheelhaase was promoted to offensive coordinator to replace Mike LaFleur, who was hired as the Cardinals’ head coach.

Where Kingsbury fits in exactly is not yet known, but his close relationship with McVay, coupled with his head coaching experience, makes him a prime asset whom McVay can lean on in any number of different ways.

Kingsbury interviewed for the Ravens head coach opening, in addition to the Giants’ and Titans’ offensive coordinator jobs, so he clearly aspires to run his own team or offense again. His new job with the Rams could be a stepping stone in that direction.

Woods signed a one-day contract with the Rams last week to officially retire as a Ram, thus ending a 12-year NFL career in which he etched his name in club history with a highly productive five-year run that included two trips to the Super Bowl.

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Robert Woods during a game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Oct. 31, 2021, in Houston. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The former Los Angeles prep standout and USC star now transitions to coaching, where he will work under McVay and long-time Rams senior offensive assistant/wide receivers coach Eric Yarber and Rob Calabrese, who was promoted from offensive assistant to wide receivers coach.

The Rams also added the title of associate offensive coordinator to Dave Ragone, who has been the club’s quarterbacks coach the last two seasons. Additionally, former center Brian Allen has been promoted from consultant to assistant offensive line coach.

Other new hires include Michael Hunter as the assistant defensive backs coach, offensive assistant Brian Johnson, special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone and assistant special teams coach Kyle Hoke.