A Coaching Immersion Like No Other
The Los Angeles Rams recently hosted a High School Coaches Shadow Program that brought 45 Southern California mentors onto the sidelines of their training camp at Loyola Marymount University, giving them a front‑row view of NFL‑level drills and strategy.
The nine‑session initiative welcomed coaches from boys tackle, girls flag and youth football programs, all eager to absorb the Rams’ approach to practice efficiency and player development.
Kekoa Alana, the Rams’ Youth and High School Football Coordinator, said the program’s core mission is to expose these mentors to the league’s most effective drills, communication tactics and time‑management techniques so they can translate them to their own squads.
Luis Zuniga, head coach at East Valley High School, praised the Rams’ precise, time‑efficient practice structure, noting that “coaches don’t waste a second” on the field.
Diego Falcon of San Jacinto Valley Academy highlighted the team’s rapid play transitions and the culture of finishing every rep, a lesson he plans to embed in his own drills.
Stephanie Machado, who leads the Whitney High School girls flag program, observed how Rams quarterbacks blend throwing mechanics with footwork, a multitasking model that could elevate high school practices.
Julie Primero from Portola High School pointed to the explosive growth of girls flag football, noting that today’s players arrive with higher football IQ and athleticism than previous generations.
Damaris Rodriguez, a coach at San Diego State Flag QB Academy and Hilltop High School, said the experience inspired her to document the program’s insights, especially the absence of wasted time in NFL sessions.
Ron Gould, the Rams’ running backs coach, closed the discussion by stressing that the ultimate goal is investment in young athletes, because mentorship and leadership extend far beyond the game.
The shadow program, now in its second year, is designed to give back to the community by equipping local coaches with practical strategies that boost practice productivity and foster holistic athlete development.