Aaron Kromer is 7th assistant to leave Rams' coaching staff

Updated Feb. 18, 2021 9:02 p.m. ET

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams say they have mutually parted ways with Aaron Kromer, their offensive line coach and running game coordinator.

The Rams on Thursday confirmed the departure of Kromer, who had been with the team since head coach Sean McVay's first season in 2017. Kromer added the title of running game coordinator in 2018.

Aaron Kromer is the seventh assistant coach to leave McVay's staff in the last 4 1/2 weeks since the Rams' fourth consecutive winning season ended with a playoff defeat at Green Bay.

McVay has lost most of the top leaders among his assistants — including the popular Kromer, whose lengthy NFL career includes a six-game stint as the New Orleans Saints' interim head coach in 2012.

Kromer’s son, Zak, is staying on the Rams' coaching staff. He has been an offensive quality control coach for the past four seasons.

McVay lost defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, who landed the Chargers' head coaching job after just one season running the Rams' top-ranked defense. The Rams also lost passing game coordinator Shane Waldron, who became the Seattle Seahawks' offensive coordinator and took along Rams assistant offensive line coach Andy Dickerson to be his running game coordinator.

Linebackers coach Joe Barry initially left with Staley, but then was hired as Green Bay's defensive coordinator. Cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant left to become the Detroit Lions' defensive backs coach.

Assistant quarterback coach Liam Coen also was hired last December as the University of Kentucky's offensive coordinator.

The turnover could have been even worse, but the Rams blocked offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell from interviewing for the Chargers' offensive coordinator job after Staley's departure, keeping him under contract for a second season with the Rams.

McVay's success with the Rams has produced the unfortunate side effect of heavy coaching staff turnover. Staley is the third former assistant under McVay who has become a head coach in the past three seasons, joining Green Bay's Matt LaFleur and Cincinnati's Zac Taylor.

Five assistants remain from McVay's first staff in Los Angeles: Zak Kromer, outside linebackers coach Chris Shula, receivers coach Eric Yarber, safeties coach Ejiro Evero and assistant defensive line coach Thad Bogardus.

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