Los Angeles Rams assistant coach Aubrey Pleasant didn’t want to focus on the chance he had during the preseason game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.
However, his boss made sure that didn’t go unnoticed. Pleasant took on the role of head coach for the Rams’ 13-9 win over the Chargers while Sean McVay watched from the coaches’ booth.
Pleasant initially decided not to give out a game ball during his postgame speech, but McVay quickly changed that plan.
“I really thought it was about us. Offense, defense, and special teams. And right when I said there would be no game ball, coach McVay says, ‘No, forget that. Game ball for Aubrey,’” Pleasant said.
“Here with the Rams, we talk a lot about the ‘we’ is greater than ‘me.’ And I just wanted to reflect that in that situation. But, again, it’s just a nod to coach McVay and what he thought about the opportunity that I was able to seize, and I’m very thankful.”
McVay had announced earlier that week that Pleasant, who coaches the Rams’ defensive backs and is the pass game coordinator, would be the head coach. This meant Pleasant was responsible not only for the game but also for preparing the game plan, leading team meetings, and working with broadcasters before the game.
During the game, McVay wanted Pleasant to gain experience in dealing with officials, making game decisions like calling timeouts, and communicating with the offense, defense, and special teams.
“You envision what it’s going to be like if this is ever your aspiration or one of your goals,” Pleasant said. “You can’t underestimate what it means to be a head coach. To talk to the refs, to understand the rules, to walk up and down the sideline.
When to use your challenge flag, which plays are reviewable, which plays are not, which plays are challengeable, which plays are not. And those are some of the things that I tried to prep myself for the last week or so, and I think it really helped me very much for today.”
