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Rela-Sean-ships: McVay’s many ties to Washington Redskins

Posted at 10:25 PM, Jan 31, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-01 10:50:06-05

General Manager, Les Snead, head coach Sean McVay and Jared Goff. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

ATLANTA, Ga. - When the Los Angeles Rams hired him 25 months ago, Sean McVay became the youngest head coach in NFL history. Sunday, he'll be the youngest bench boss in Super Bowl history.

McVay's own history is woven with Redskins ties.

Current Redskins president Bruce Allen, then the general manager for Tampa Bay, gave Sean his first NFL gig. McVay was the Buccaneers assistant wide receivers coach in 2008.

"I'm happy for Sean," Allen told News 3 at Super Bowl LIII. "He's a hard worker and he's a bright young coach. He was an energetic person who wanted to beat Jon Gruden to the office everyday. He loves the game of football and he's passionate about what he's doing."

Other than L.A. and Tampa, the only other NFL team for which McVay has worked is the Redskins. He was head coach Jay Gruden's offensive coordinator from 2014-16.

Redskins President Bruce Allen

Three years prior to that, Gruden was the offensive coordinator in Cincinnati - where he coached current Rams offensive lineman Andrew Whitworth.

"I can see some of the little mannerisms and characteristics that carried over from sitting in rooms with Jon and Jay and their coaching - their sayings they have," Whitworth said when asked if he recognizes any of Jay Gruden in McVay. "You can definitely see that in Sean from time to time."

"I think what makes Sean McVay special, the most special, is how good of a person he is," said Rams linebackers coach Joe Barry, who worked with McVay in Washington in 2015 and 2016. "He has an unbelievable heart and treats people with complete class."

One year after Allen hired McVay in Tampa in 2008. The following year, Sean worked as the wide receivers coach for the Florida Tuskers - a United Football League team and a squad that became the Virginia Destroyers two years later. The Destroyers played their games at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex in 2011 and 2012.

Head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

However, McVay was not on that coaching staff, as he'd already been hired by the Redskins.

News 3 is your home of Super Bowl 53 in Atlanta. The game will be played on February 3rd, with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. Sports Director Adam Winkler will have LIVE coverage from Atlanta the week leading up to the game on News 3.

Click here for more Super Bowl LIII coverage