John Streicher comes to the Los Angeles Rams as a man of mystery. What exactly are the responsibilities of a coordinator of football strategy? Why did Mike Vrabel hand off game management and communication among coaches and playtime management to Streicher in 2020 when Vrabel was out with COVID-19 versus the Chicago Bears? Of all people, why did the Rams seek out Streicher for the role?
The first question is still up in the air. The position is still taking shape and is a new position according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic via twitter.com. Diana Russini, also of The Athletic responded on the SM platform that “Stretch is one of the smartest football minds in the NFL. Rams just landed a big nerd.”
That along with the Tennessee Titans’ trust in him to run that side of the game in 2020, one could assume his job has to do with time management, challenge flags, and other analytical decisions. (The author hopes he will be instrumental in changing Sean McVay‘s 4th down decision-making.)
In an article about him in the Tennessean from 2020, Streicher is described as Vrabel’s right-hand man in his role as Coordinator of Football Development. Which was the role he was in up until his hiring by the Rams.
All of these things are pointing towards the unveiling of undiscovered genius. But who clued the Rams on to him?
How Did The Los Angeles Rams Find Streicher?
Could it be that one undiscovered genius pointed the Rams toward John Streicher? It’s certainly possible. Brandon Staley was plucked from relative obscurity when he was hired as defensive coordinator by the Rams in 2020. He went on to lead the squad to be the number-one defense in the NFL.
Brandon Staley left John Carroll University to become the defensive coordinator of James Madison in 2014. That year Streicher took his first job out of college with James Madison as Director of Football Operations and Player Personnel.
He also worked with Matt LaFleur on the Titans in 2018.
Streicher Impressive From the Jump
Streicher has a way of making an impression on his colleagues. His next job after JMU was given to him by then James Madison head coach Everett Withers at Texas State where Streicher served as Director of Football Operations.
He cut his teeth in the football world working as a student equipment manager and as a student assistant coach at his Alma mater Ohio State. Mike Vrabel was on those coaching staffs.
Streicher has his master’s in organizational leadership from the Ohio State University.
