During Monday’s press conference, Rams head coach Sean McVay was asked about defensive line coach Giff Smith and how Smith has empowered veterans to take up leadership roles within the team.
Smith was hired by the Rams this offseason after spending eight years with the Chargers. Smith was the interim head coach for the Bolts during their last three games of 2023.
Here’s what McVay had to say.
“I’ve known Giff for a long time when he recruited me when I was in high school to Tulane. He was the one who recommended Eric Henderson to me. He’s a great coach. He’s a great mentor. I was even talking to Joey Bosa about it at the Chargers practice because he coached Joey for a handful of years and he was saying, ‘He’s this amazing guy.’ Sometimes you hear the word ‘players’ coach,’ and it can mean they’re not hard on guys. That’s the exact opposite. He loves these guys. He really invests in the relationships. That enables them to know that when he’s going to be challenging and demanding of them. ‘Hey, I’m going challenge you to be what you can be.’ They’re receptive to that. They respond. He has such a great feel for being able to empower guys. I can’t say enough good things about what I’ve witnessed and how grateful I am that he’s here. AC Carter’s another great coach who’s working alongside him. I think that’s why you’ve seen good growth from our young group. A lot of guys have progressed in the right direction, which is a real sign of great leadership from him.”
Relationships are everything in football and it seems the one Smith and McVay have has helped build new connections within the organization.