[AltiTude Ram]

[AltiTude Ram]

[Elvis]

[AltiTude Ram]

[RedAlice]

Excellent article on McVay by Jourdan The Athletic.

How a phone call from a college football legend reset Sean McVay’s coaching career

Jourdan Rodrigue
66

June 3, 2025 3:00 am PDT
Sean McVay still has the voicemail from two years ago. He hasn’t listened to it since, but plays it now as he lays his iPhone flat on the desk beside him.

“Sean, this is Chris Petersen calling. I am the former head coach at Boise State and the University of Washington … “

Petersen’s voice is warm and earnest.

“I’ve just been thinkin’ about ya. I know you’re going through some hard times … “

As he listens, McVay is the picture of control, from his hair slicked into its signature shark fin to his matching athleisure set and spotless sneakers. But then his eyes fill with tears, and he doesn’t swipe them away.

Petersen called McVay in January 2023 after seeing clips of him following the Los Angeles Rams’ disastrous 2022 season, when McVay admitted he was contemplating leaving coaching just one year after becoming the NFL’s youngest Super Bowl-winning head coach. When Petersen saw McVay’s hollow-eyed expression and heard his hoarse voice, he knew there was more at work than a dismal season record and professional fatigue. “Oh my stars, I know this guy,” Petersen said to himself. “I know this story.”

So he picked up his phone.

That voicemail was an outstretched hand to a broken man. Petersen, who in 2019 suddenly stepped away from his career as one of the most successful coaches in college football history, has become a mentor, confidant, friend and adviser to McVay as the young coach worked his way out of what he calls the hardest year of his life.

“You’re in the middle of a storm. It’s real gray; things are cloudy,” McVay said. “He saw that press conference. I was crying out for help, I just didn’t realize I was.”

More than two years after their first conversation, McVay, 39, credits Petersen’s support as a significant part of his long-term recommitment to coaching.

“He has helped me see this game and this profession in (such) a totally different lens that the idea of not coaching feels so laughable,” said McVay. “I get so much more joy out of things that I just didn’t give a s— about before.”


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/639800 ... dailyemail

[Elvis]

Excellent article on McVay by Jourdan The Athletic.

How a phone call from a college football legend reset Sean McVay’s coaching career

Jourdan Rodrigue
66

June 3, 2025 3:00 am PDT
Sean McVay still has the voicemail from two years ago. He hasn’t listened to it since, but plays it now as he lays his iPhone flat on the desk beside him.

“Sean, this is Chris Petersen calling. I am the former head coach at Boise State and the University of Washington … “

Petersen’s voice is warm and earnest.

“I’ve just been thinkin’ about ya. I know you’re going through some hard times … “

As he listens, McVay is the picture of control, from his hair slicked into its signature shark fin to his matching athleisure set and spotless sneakers. But then his eyes fill with tears, and he doesn’t swipe them away.

Petersen called McVay in January 2023 after seeing clips of him following the Los Angeles Rams’ disastrous 2022 season, when McVay admitted he was contemplating leaving coaching just one year after becoming the NFL’s youngest Super Bowl-winning head coach. When Petersen saw McVay’s hollow-eyed expression and heard his hoarse voice, he knew there was more at work than a dismal season record and professional fatigue. “Oh my stars, I know this guy,” Petersen said to himself. “I know this story.”

So he picked up his phone.

That voicemail was an outstretched hand to a broken man. Petersen, who in 2019 suddenly stepped away from his career as one of the most successful coaches in college football history, has become a mentor, confidant, friend and adviser to McVay as the young coach worked his way out of what he calls the hardest year of his life.

“You’re in the middle of a storm. It’s real gray; things are cloudy,” McVay said. “He saw that press conference. I was crying out for help, I just didn’t realize I was.”

More than two years after their first conversation, McVay, 39, credits Petersen’s support as a significant part of his long-term recommitment to coaching.

“He has helped me see this game and this profession in (such) a totally different lens that the idea of not coaching feels so laughable,” said McVay. “I get so much more joy out of things that I just didn’t give a s— about before.”


https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/639800 ... dailyemail

We Not Me has become We Then Me

[actionjack]

We Not Me has become We Then Me

Price of the Athletic right there, wow, surprised we only hearing about this now. Love the growth.

[Elvis]

Price of the Athletic right there, wow, surprised we only hearing about this now. Love the growth.

I'm pretty sure i've heard about this before (maybe from Jourdan) but not in so much detail.

Her Rams coverage is unequaled...

[actionjack]

I'm pretty sure i've heard about this before (maybe from Jourdan) but not in so much detail.

Her Rams coverage is unequaled...

I remember her original story, I dont remember ever hearing Peterson mentioned, but could be wrong.

[Elvis]

Doubt i read this article but maybe this presser is what i'm remembering (from January):

https://www.si.com/nfl/rams/news/who-ha ... jh0wd5qznv

"I think some of the different things that we've endured over the last couple years have strengthened us. There have been different narratives each of the last two years. Those have been people that I've leaned on. A guy like [Former University of Washington Head Coach] Chris Peterson, we've talked about it. He’s been a tremendous outside influence guy that I've gotten to really know and who I lean on heavily and my dad. This coaching staff is special. The people in this building are really special and our players, they deserve the credit.”

Still i think i've heard the phone call story before too...