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Rams hire Joe Barry to coach linebackersBy Master Tesfatsion
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www.washingtonpost.com]
Joe Barry will coach linebackers in Los Angeles next season. (Jonathan Newton/The Washington Post)
The Los Angeles Rams will have another familiar face on the sidelines next year. Former Washington Redskins defensive coordinator Joe Barry will join Sean McVay‘s staff as linebackers coach, according to a person with knowledge of the situation on Saturday.
The Redskins fired Barry last Thursday after two seasons with the franchise. Although Washington lacked talent, the defense didn’t improve during Barry’s tenure. He was not retained on Coach Jay Gruden’s staff, along with defensive line coach Robb Akey and secondary coach Perry Fewell.
The New Orleans Saints and the Jacksonville Jaguars met with Barry about their linebackers coach position, but the former USC linebacker will return to Southern California under McVay, who spent three seasons as the Redskins’ offensive coordinator until becoming the youngest head coach in NFL history on Thursday.
The Redskins have not replaced both Barry, 46, and McVay, 30, leaving two significant vacancies. The Redskins have had difficulty finding Barry’s successor because of the lack of talent on defense and job security concerns, according to two people with knowledge of the situation. Washington hasn’t adequately addressed its dire needs along the defensive line and at safety, which played a factor in its defensive struggles. The Redskins were ranked 28th in total defense, allowing 377.9 yards per game, and conceded 23.9 points per game.
Gruden will also enter the fourth of a five-year deal with Washington. Although he’s coming off consecutive winning seasons, Gruden’s future is uncertain beyond 2017 and has made the position less than ideal for potential candidates in what would be Gruden’s third defensive coordinator in Washington.
Wade Phillips, who was scheduled to meet with the Redskins’ front office on Friday, agreed to become the Rams defensive coordinator on Thursday. Steve Wilks, who the Redskins were granted permission to interview, was promoted as the Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator on Friday. Gus Bradley, who the Redskins interviewed on Wednesday, will reportedly interview with the Los Angeles Chargers for their defensive coordinator position.
If Bradley accepts the position, the Redskins’ best remaining options at the moment could be either former Cleveland Browns Coach Mike Pettine, who they interviewed on Monday, or outside linebackers coach Greg Manusky, who was retained on staff and has nine years of experience as a defensive coordinator.
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