TCU football assistant Samples to interview for running backs job with LA Rams
TCU football already lost one assistant coach to the reigning national champion Georgia Bulldogs. Could the Frogs see another coach depart for the NFL’s newest Super Bowl champions?
The Los Angeles Rams will interview TCU assistant Ra’Shaad Samples for the organization’s running backs coach job, sources confirmed. On3 first reported the news.
Samples followed Sonny Dykes from SMU to TCU this offseason, taking the title of “running backs coach, assistant head coach and run game coordinator.”
The Rams’ website has Thomas Brown listed as the running backs coach, but he’s expected to move into the tight ends/passing game coordinator role. That’s the job previously held by Wes Phillips, who has since moved on to become the offensive coordinator with the Minnesota Vikings.
The allure of joining the defending Super Bowl champions and coaching at the NFL level has to intrigue Samples, but TCU is hopeful he’ll stay at the school.
One TCU source went as far as saying: “There’s really nothing to it.”
Samples, the son of Duncanville head coach Reginald Samples, has only coached in the college ranks with stints at Houston, Texas, SMU and now TCU.
But Samples drawing interest from a NFL team shouldn’t come as a surprise, though. The 27-year-old is considered a rising star in the coaching profession, and the Rams have shown a willingness to dip into the college ranks.
Just last offseason, Rams coach Sean McVay brought in offensive line coach Kevin Carberry from Stanford. Carberry previously coached with the Dallas Cowboys and was groomed by respected O-line coach Bill Callahan.
As far as TCU is concerned, losing Samples would be a blow to the staff. The Frogs already saw defensive line coach Chidera Uzo-Diribe leave to become Georgia’s outside linebackers coach last month.
If Samples does bolt for the NFL, it’s unclear where TCU would turn for its next running backs coach. But one internal candidate would be TCU offensive analyst and recruiting coordinator Bryan Carrington.
Carrington served as a running back quality control analyst at USC last season, helping mentor Keaontay Ingram. Ingram led the Trojans with 911 yards rushing and earned All-Pac 12 honors. Carrington also was a driving force in USC landing former TCU running back Darwin Barlow.
Last offseason, Carrington spent time with the Rams as a coaching fellow and learned under Brown. While working at Texas in 2020, Carrington helped the Longhorns land running back Bijan Robinson.
From a coaching standpoint, Carrington has worked closely with several running back coaches over the years, including Mike Jinks (USC), Stan Drayton (Texas) and Kenneth Pope (Houston).
For now, though, Samples remains with TCU.
Big 12 fine avoided
In men’s basketball news, TCU avoided a fine by the Big 12 for the court-storming scene following Saturday’s upset victory over then-No. 9 Texas Tech.
The conference has fined schools for court-storming incidents this season, although it’s not an automatic fine.
“Our team did a tremendous job providing the visiting team and the game officials safe and clear passage to their respective locker rooms,” TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati said.
This story was originally published March 1, 2022 at 3:50 PM.
