Rams add former Chargers interim coach Giff Smith to round out staff

The Rams announced seven additions to their 2024 coaching staff Tuesday.

Longtime Chargers assistant Giff Smith will take over as defensive line coach and run game coordinator following Eric Henderson’s departure to USC. Smith coached the Chargers’ defensive line from 2016-2021, then spent the past two seasons coaching outside linebackers before serving as interim head coach the last three games of 2023.

Joining him on the defense is former Packers assistant Greg Williams as inside linebackers coach, backfilling the spot vacated by Chris Shula when he was promoted to defensive coordinator. Williams served as pass game coordinator in Green Bay and is a longtime NFL assistant, with stints with the Cardinals, Broncos, Colts and Chargers.

On offense, the Rams hired former Falcons offensive coordinator Dave Ragone as quarterbacks coach. Ragone, who spent the 2006 training camp with the Rams during his playing career, was a quality control coach with Washington in 2015, when Rams head coach Sean McVay was serving as offensive coordinator.

Former Jets quarterbacks coach Rob Calabrese will serve as an offensive assistant for the Rams, while Nate Scheelshaase is leaving his position as offensive coordinator at Iowa State to serve as an offensive assistant and pass game specialist. Meanwhile, tight ends coach Nick Caley added pass game coordinator to his list of responsibilities.

McVay also hired Kansas State assistant Chili Davis as assistant special teams coach, while former Titans assistant John Streicher will serve as game management coordinator for the Rams.