The Rams’ special teams struggles resulted in kicker Harrison Mevis’ release, but special teams coach Bubba Ventrone’s position remains secure.
Head coach Sean McVay affirmed on Tuesday that Ventrone will keep his job.
“I have a lot of confidence in Bubba Ventrone,” McVay stated, via NFL.com. “There will be no changes made to the special teams coaching staff. We are going to keep working through this. This isn’t our first encounter with adversity, and I recognize there are areas where I need to improve.”
The Rams dismissed special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn in December following a series of errors by the unit during their 38-37 overtime loss to the Seahawks. Although assistant special teams coach Ben Kotwica served as the interim coordinator for the remainder of the season, the Rams also mishandled a punt in the NFC Championship Game.
Ventrone was hired by the Rams in January.
Prior to joining Los Angeles, Ventrone spent three seasons as the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator for the Cleveland Browns. His coaching background also includes stints with the Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots, following a playing career that had him on the rosters of the San Francisco 49ers, Browns, and Patriots.
Ventrone inherited kicker Harrison Mevis, who converted 12 of 13 field goal attempts and was perfect on extra points last season.
Mevis missed two field goals in the Rams’ 37-34 overtime loss to the Bills on Monday night. His initial 50-yard attempt sailed wide left, and his subsequent 48-yard game-winning try in overtime was blocked by Greg Rousseau of the Bills.
This season, Mevis has missed four of his nine field goal attempts.
The Rams signed kicker Blake Grupe from the New York Jets’ practice squad on Tuesday.