Los Angeles Rams Hire Former Chicago Bears’ WR’s Coach Mike Groh

A few notable names - specifically coordinators - have been linked to the Los Angeles Rams over the past few weeks, and all visits have concluded without a hiring.  First it was John DeFilippo, who visited Rams Park, only to leave St. Louis on his way to a job with the Eagles as their QB coach.  A few days ago, the Rams were linked to former offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.  That also fell through, as Shurmur signed with the Vikings a few days ago.

But the Rams inked a wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator on Monday.  That man is Mike Groh, formerly the wide receivers coach of the Chicago Bears; where he’s spent the last two seasons.  Prior to that, in 2011 and 2012, he held the same position at the University of Alabama...where he helped the Tide roll to two national championships.  Rams’ saftey/linebacker/stud Mark Barron will recognize Groh.

This is where we mention Alshon Jeffery, and his impending free agency.  A link to Groh has to be a good thing, albeit very optimistic.

You’ll remember Jeffery...the wide receiver drafted 45th overall by the Bears back in 2012.  He was drafted a mere 12 spots after the Rams selected fellow wideout Brian Quick that year.  You remember it, because you’ll never forget it.

The stats through four seasons:

Jeffery - 51 games, 252 receptions, 3,728 yards, 24 touchdowns.  Pro Bowl [2013]

Quick - 51 games, 64 receptions, 935 yards, 7 touchdowns

Yeah.  And I know you already knew that.

At any rate, the Groh-to-Jeffery link, while exciting, could mean very little.  Alshon Jeffery is clearly the top receiver on the Bears, even having drafted Kevin White, who didn’t play a single game in 2015.  The Bears would be wise to pay the man.

Regardless of where Alshon lands in 2016, the good news for the Rams is that they’ve snagged a very good coach away from the Bears.  Groh is one Chicago has relied on over the past few seasons, and one who has definitely played an integral role in developing Alshon Jeffery.

How good is that relationship?  It’d be all speculation, but if it were strong...and if Jeffery decided to test the market...well, Groh’s presence in Los Angeles - along with an exciting new start for the Rams - could bode very well for the team who’s been starving for a legitimate deep threat receiver for many, many, many years.

Regardless, welcome Mike Groh to Rams Nation.  Whether or not his presence enables the Rams to woo a top-tier free agent wide receiver to L.A. remains to be seen but, minimally, this move should help strengthen a position in which the Rams typically struggle to find a star.

And the boss is happy, and that’s all that really matters...right?

Jeff Fisher on Mike Groh: "He’s a talented, young coach that has proven himself on the college level as well as in the NFL."

— Zach Zaidman (@ZachZaidman) January 25, 2016

(Update from 3k at 7:45pm ET)

Just wanted to add a note for posterity that this follows a series of hires that Jeff Fisher has made inside football. Whether it was Brian Schottenheimer, son of former head coach of multiple NFL teams Marty Schottenheimer, Blake Williams, son of former Buffalo Bills HC and current Rams DC Gregg Williams, New York Giants HC John Fassel, the son of former HC Jim Fassel, or Paul F. Boudreau, son of Rams OL Coach Paul T. Boudreau, or former OC Frank Cignetti, Jr., son of West Virginia HC Frank Cignetti, Sr., Fisher has never shied away from hiring the sons of experienced football coaches.

So it shouldn't surprise that Mike Groh's father, Al Groh, was the former head coach at both Wake Forest and Virginia with more than a decade of NFL experience including a one-year stint as head coach of the New York Jets.

Fisher's as NFL as a head coach as there is. Part of the reason why is his adherence to orthodoxy that develops within the league and sticks to it regardless of whether or not it produces results.