NFL Network’s Steve Wyche is reporting that the Detroit Lions plan to interview Los Angeles Rams cornerbacks coach Aubrey Pleasant for their secondary coach position. This would be considered a promotion, so the Rams are unable to block him from interviewing.
When Rams defensive coordinator Brandon Staley was hired as the LA Chargers head coach, our brother site Rams Wire listed Pleasant as their top candidate to replace him.
“Pleasant would make a ton of sense as the Rams’ next defensive coordinator,” Rams Wire’s Cameron DaSilva said. “He just finished his fourth season as the Rams’ cornerbacks coach, working under both Staley and Wade Phillips. The Rams have had one of the best cornerback units in the league in recent years, led by players such as Jalen Ramsey, Darious Williams, Marcus Peters, Aqib Talib, Trumaine Johnson and Troy Hill.”
The Rams’ opted to hire former-Falcons DC/interim coach Raheem Morris for the position and it’s no surprise that Pleasant would be open to exploring other opportunities after being passed over — and Detroit makes a lot of sense considering he is a Flint native.
Pleasant works with several organizations to help Flint residents who have been impacted by the city’s compromised water supply. In the video below, you can see Pleasant’s passion when talked about his My Cause, My Cleats campaign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbDlfza85TQ
Pleasant began his coaching career in the state as well, starting out at Grand Blanc high school in 2010. He then joined the University of Michigan for two seasons before the NFL came calling. He took a position as a coaching intern with the Cleveland Browns during the 2013 training camp, then joined Washington that same season as an assistant. A year later he was promoted to defensive quality control, where he stayed for two years before taking the Rams position.
Over the last decade, Pleasant has quickly grown to be a highly respected coach. Before he left for the Chargers, Staley had its to say about Pleasant:
“Aubrey Pleasant is one of the elite coaches in the league,” Staley said via Rams Wire. “Aubrey, all you’ve got to do is ask Jalen Ramsey, ask Darious Williams, ask Troy Hill about their relationship with Aubrey. He’s a tireless worker. He’s a really talented communicator. He can see the game in all levels of the defense. Sometimes as a secondary guy, okay, do you just know the back end. He knows how the front and the back tie in together.”
Ok coach, let’s see what Ramsey has to say about Pleasant:
Jalen Ramsey also had high praise to Rams CBs coach Aubrey Pleasant: "In my opinion, this is the best body of work that I've put out in the NFL, and a lot of that is thanks to him." Said Pleasant "for sure" has the skillset to get looks as a defensive coordinator.
— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) January 17, 2021
Pleasant is an ascending coach with strong ties to the state, and if he is a talented enough coach to make Ramsey a better player, the Lions would be wise to take a long hard look at adding him to their organization.