Let’s dive into the Sean McVay effect. At just 39, his coaching tree is starting to grow and spread across the NFL. From Matt LaFleur at the Packers being the first of McVay’s former assistants to land an HC role, to the Jaguars appointing Liam Coen as their new head coach last Saturday, his influence is slowly taking over the league. The man who is rewriting the coaching playbook has been able to extend his philosophy to college football according to Washington Huskies HC Jedd Fisch.

Teams have been searching for “The Next McVay” for quite a while and there is good reason for it. While some coaches are still using flip phones, McVay’s out here running the NFL’s equivalent of a Tesla! The man has turned the LA Rams into must-watch TV, but that’s only half the story. His coaching style is spreading like wildfire, and Fisch admitted how he is still taking learnings from McVay into his coaching role at UW.

Fisch appeared on The Rich Eisen Show on January 28. He spoke at length about McVay’s approach to leadership and culture. “Sean schematically is elite, but culturally is even better,” Fisch said. When asked about what conversation he has with his former head coach, Fisch answered, “I go to him and then I get whatever information he’s gotten from everybody else. But he’s so smart. He’s such a great listener, he puts together such a clear and concise plan every year on what he wants his team to look like, what he wants the messaging of that year to be.”

One of the key factors in McVay’s success is his ability to adapt. In December, they won three games in a row to improve their record to 8-6. All three of their wins were built on different strategies. Against New Orleans, they failed to score in the first half but rallied to win 21-14. Then their offensive struggles were nowhere to be seen as they outgunned the Bills for a 44-42.

People were left scratching their heads when a few days later the same team defense restricted the 49ers to a paltry total to win 12-6. But McVay is more than the X’s and O’s on the playbook. Highlighting his impact on his own coaching and what he is trying to build at UW, Fisch levied more praise for him.

“Part that I love so much about Sean is his consistent message of connectivity… I think he is a pillar of his program,” he said. “How connected the staff is, how connected the staff is with the players, and how connected the players are. We really pride ourselves to try to be like that. We talk about the Rams in such high regard in our facility at Washington, because Sean’s culture of connection is what allows them to handle any adversity.” Fisch didn’t just name-drop McVay. He made it clear that his program is striving to emulate the Rams’ success.

Talk about the ultimate people person! Sean McVay isn’t just drawing up plays – he’s drawing people together like a football family reunion master. And boy, did that special touch pay off in 2022 when his Rams squad took down the Cincinnati Bengals in the Super Bowl! He’s proof that having a great playbook is fantastic, but it’s the heart-to-heart connections that turn good teams into champions.

McVay’s secret sauce? Making every player feel like they’re part of something bigger than the game itself! That kind of culture doesn’t just happen. It’s deliberately built. And McVay is proving to be the blueprint for many coaches looking to replicate it.

Fisch joined McVay’s staff in 2018 as an offensive assistant before being elevated to assistant OC in 2019. He moved to New England in 2020 and then took the head coaching job at the University of Arizona in 2021.

In his first season, the Wildcats went 1-11 in 2021, but he turned around their fortunes, finishing with a 10-3 record by 2023. This led to UW hiring him as their HC and they finished 6-7 in his first season.

Fisch’s admiration for the Rams isn’t just talk. He has structured his program around McVay’s core principles. That includes clarity in messaging. Also, a focused vision for the team and an approach that prioritizes communication at every level. If there was ever doubt about McVay’s impact stretching beyond the NFL, Fisch’s comments put it to rest. The Rams‘ head coach has built something that resonates across different levels of football.

This also raises an interesting point. How much of his influence would remain if McVay were to ever leave the Rams? Multiple NFL coaches are shaping teams following his system. And now even a college program is taking notes. Hence, McVay’s legacy might be bigger than just his tenure in Los Angeles. However, more members of his staff could be on the way out this offseason.

Rams coaches on the move

McVay’s coaching tree is already one of the most impressive in the league. It includes names like Kevin O’Connell, Zac Taylor, and Matt LaFleur. All of whom have secured top jobs. Now, the Buccaneers have already interviewed three Rams assistants for their offensive coordinator vacancy.

The candidates include offensive assistant/pass game specialist Nate Scheelhaase. It even includes tight ends coach Nick Caley and quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone. Scheelhaase joined the Rams in 2024. He contributed to an offense that ranked 10th in passing yards this season. His direct impact on the Rams’ scheme is unclear. But his role in the passing attack makes him an intriguing candidate for Tampa Bay’s OC job. Meanwhile, Caley has been in the NFL for nearly a decade.

His stints include seven years with the Patriots. The Rams’ tight ends weren’t a major part of the offense, though. However, Caley involved himself in the passing game’s development. On the other hand, Ragone was also hired in 2024. He has previous experience as the Falcons‘ OC. Atlanta’s offense struggled under his watch. But working with Baker Mayfield in Tampa Bay could offer a fresh start. But there’s news beyond Tampa Bay.

Rams associate head coach Aubrey Pleasant has also been linked to a potential departure. He has interviewed for the Jaguars’ DC role. And he might be reuniting with former Rams colleague Liam Coen. Pleasant (if he leaves) would be the fourth assistant head coach under McVay to depart for a coordinator role elsewhere. McVay continues to develop talent both on the field and on the sidelines. But the Rams’ coaching staff could look much different in 2025.

As for McVay, his current contract with the Rams runs through the 2026 season and he has already made his intentions clear for the next season. He said that he wants more “versatility” from his offense and is “excited to be able to dive into,” how they can utilize the offseason.

With his influence spreading to college football as well, McVay is proving his class. Now, the Rams fans will hope that they put their divisional round exit beyond themselves and once again contend for the NFC title and subsequently the Super Bowl.

Meanwhile, the only real question left isn’t if his influence will keep spreading (spoiler alert: it totally is), but rather how many more coaches will join the McVay masterclass movement. It’s like he’s created football’s most exclusive club, except everyone’s invited to learn. And from the looks of it, this party’s just getting started!