Former Wisconsin Football Player Earns NFL Coaching Promotion

Former Wisconsin football standout Aubrey Pleasant is climbing the NFL coaching ladder once more, this time with the Los Angeles Rams.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport has reported that Pleasant is being elevated to the role of assistant head coach under Sean McVay. He will also continue his role as the team’s defensive pass game coordinator.

#Rams defensive pass game coordinator Aubrey Pleasant is adding an assistant head coach title to his current role, source said, a promotion that coach Sean McVay announced to the team to big cheers this week. Pleasant is viewed as an HC candidate by the Rams and NFL office. pic.twitter.com/zCAz1oHHn6

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 16, 2024

Rapoport also highlighted that Pleasant is regarded as a strong contender for an NFL head coaching position in the not-too-distant future. Before his stint with the Rams, Pleasant served as an offensive consultant for the Packers under LaFleur. 

Ex-Wisconsin Football DB Climbing the NFL Coaching Ranks 

While not every Wisconsin football fan might recall Pleasant, diehard Badgers enthusiasts will likely remember him from his playing days. 

Before stepping into coaching, Pleasant played defensive back for the Badgers from 2005 to 2008. He started 14 games at safety and accumulated 80 combined tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble during his college career.

Pleasant returned to his home state to begin his coaching career, initially at the high school level, followed by a couple of seasons with the Michigan Wolverines. His NFL coaching career started in 2013 as a coaching intern with the Cleveland Browns.

After moving through various NFL teams, Pleasant encountered current Packers head coach Matt LaFleur during two separate seasons. They eventually teamed up in 2022 when LaFleur brought the former Wisconsin football defensive back on as an offensive analyst.

LaFleur recruited Pleasant to provide a defensive perspective on some of his offensive strategies. The Packers quickly brought him on board after Pleasant was dismissed by the Detroit Lions midway through the 2022 season.

Prior to the 2023 season, the Rams picked up Pleasant. Despite the rollercoaster nature of NFL coaching careers, his latest role in Los Angeles has positioned him well on the path toward eventually becoming a head coach.

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