Los Angeles Rams to Sign Former Chicago Bears RB's Coach Skip Peete

Earlier this week [Monday], the Los Angeles Rams hired former Chicago Bears quarterback coach Mike Groh.  He’ll operate as the team’s receivers coach/passing game coordinator.

On late Thursday evening, according to a source, the Los Angeles Rams nabbed themselves another coordinator familiar with the Bears, acquiring former running backs coach - Skip Peete - to the same role.

Peete is no stranger to this position, having been a running backs coach for almost the entirety of the last two decades; with 2015 being the only year in which he didn’t hold the position:

Chicago Bears [2013-2014]
Dallas Cowboys [2007-2012]
Oakland Raiders [1998-2006]
UCLA [1996-1997]
Michigan State [1993-1994]

The good news for Peete is that he’s walking into a great situation with the Rams, given the talent at the position.  He’ll inherit Rookie-of-the-Year hopeful, Pro Bowl running back Todd Gurley.  And the team’s backups - Tre Mason and Benny Cunningham - provide solid depth.

If the name "Peete" struck you as familiar, that’s probably because it is.  Skip’s brother Rodney played quarterback in the NFL for 16 seasons.  Their father, Willie, was a long-time coach in the NFL, dating back to 1960 where he was an assistant coach at the University of Arizona.  It’s fair to assume Skip learned a thing or two from his pops, as well, as Willie was a RB’s coach in the NFL from 1983-1995 with the Chiefs, Packers, Buccaneers, and Bears.

For a team as talented as the Rams, complaints are often made that it’s the coaching preventing the team from getting over .500, earning a playoff berth, etc.  It’s early in the offseason, but it appears the Rams are taking the necessary steps to ensure the rubber meets the road when the season kicks off in 2016.