NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans on Friday completed an interview with Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur for the team's vacant head coaching position.
Here's what you need to know about LaFleur:
Age: 38.
Alma mater: Saginaw Valley State.
Most recent positions:
• Offensive coordinator, Los Angeles Rams, 2017.
• Quarterbacks coach, Atlanta Falcons, 2015-2016.
• Quarterbacks coach, Notre Dame, 2014.
• Quarterbacks coach, Washington Redskins, 2010-2013.
• Offensive assistant, Houston Texans, 2008-2009.
• Also spent time as an assistant coach at collegiate ranks at Ashland University (2007-08), Northern Michigan (2006), Central Michigan (2004-2005) and Saginaw Valley State (2003).
Background:
• The Rams led the NFL in scoring in 2017, averaging 29.9 points per game. The Rams finished 10th in the NFL in total offense in 2017 – 8th in rushing, 10th in passing.
• In his first season with the Rams, LaFleur was instrumental in the development of quarterback Jared Goff, who threw for 3,804 yards with 28 touchdowns and only seven interceptions in 2017.
• Prior to joining the Rams, LaFleur served as quarterback Matt Ryan's QBs coach for two seasons with the Falcons. Ryan was named NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year after throwing for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns for a 117.1 quarterback rating in 2016. In LaFleur's first season with Atlanta, Ryan was also third in the NFL in completions (407), fifth in yards (4,591), and sixth in completion percentage (66.3).
• In 2014, Notre Dame quarterback Everett Golson completed 256-of-427 passes (60 percent) for 3,445 yards with 29 touchdowns under LaFleur's tutelage.
• With the Redskins, LaFleur worked in Washington with QB Robert Griffin III, who became the first Redskins rookie quarterback selected to the Pro Bowl and led the team to its first NFC East title in 13 years. Under LaFleur, Griffin established Redskins rookie records in pass completions (258), passing yards (3,200), passing touchdowns (20) and rushing yards by a quarterback (815).
• Also worked with Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins for two seasons in Washington.
• LaFleur played quarterback at Saginaw Valley State where he guided the Cardinals to three-straight NCAA Division II playoff appearances. He first attended Western Michigan, where he played receiver before transferring.
• LaFleur played briefly in the National Indoor Football League with the Omaha Beef, where he was a backup quarterback. He later signed with the Billings Outlaws.
Why he'd be a good fit:
LaFleur is known for his offensive mind, and he has an impressive track record in developing quarterbacks. He helped the Rams offense evolve from one of the NFL's least productive groups in 2016 to a potent offense in 2017.
Goff made great strides while working under LaFleur, and he's also tutored Ryan.
LaFleur is off the coaching tree of Sean McVay (Rams) and Kyle Shanahan (Atlanta), so he could bring a unique set of offensive ideas to the Titans.
LaFleur would play a key role in helping further develop Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, who is headed into his fourth NFL season.
TitansOnline looks back at the NFL coaching career of Matt LaFleur, who was named the team's offensive coordinator on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Photos: AP, Rams, Falcons)