Rams hire Bubba Ventrone as their new special teams coordinator
Sean McVay wasted no time trying to solve the Rams’ special teams issues heading into next season.
The Rams have hired Raymond “Bubba” Ventrone as special teams coordinator, a person with knowledge of the situation said Thursday. The person requested anonymity because the hiring has not been announced.
Ventrone, a former NFL player, has been the Cleveland Browns’ special teams coordinator for the past three seasons. He also served as coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts and coach for the New England Patriots.
Special teams was a weakness for a Rams team that finished 12-5 and advanced to the NFC Championship Game before losing to the Seattle Seahawks.
Kicking game errors cost the Rams several early season losses, leading them to sign kicker Harrison Mevis to replace Joshua Karty and veteran long snapper Jake McQuaide to replace Alex Ward. McVay fired coordinator Chase Blackburn in December, the day after Seattle’s Rashid Shaheed returned for a touchdown in a Week 16 overtime loss at Seattle.
Ben Kotwica served as interim special teams coordinator for the remainder of the season.
The Rams had a punt blocked in a wild-card victory at Carolina.
In the NFC Championship Game, returner Xavier Smith fumbled a punt that was recovered by the Seahawks, who scored on the next play.
