Sean McVay effect

The Sean McVay effect (or the next Sean McVay) is a term used to describe a trend beginning in 2018 regarding the hiring practices of National Football League (NFL) teams towards employing young head coaches that specialized in offensive strategy, but would later be expanded to describe the trend of hiring young head coaches in general.

McVay rapidly changed the culture of the organization and turned the Rams into the league's highest-scoring offense in his first year as head coach, resulting in the team becoming perennial title contenders and eventual champions in Super Bowl LVI.

On January 12, 2017, the Los Angeles Rams hired Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay, who was then 30 years old, as their head coach.

He began his NFL career in 2010 as Washington's assistant tight ends coach before working his way up to becoming their offensive coordinator, a role he held for three years.

[4] In addition to McVay's coaching acumen, many noted how he was able to change the culture of the organization with his willingness to engage with players and take accountability for his own shortcomings.

[7] McVay received recognition from the league and the media for turning around the team's fortunes, and at the season's conclusion he became the youngest-ever recipient of the AP NFL Coach of the Year award.

Maske cited McVay's instant success in his debut season as the reason the pair were receiving serious considerations, and stated that the two would have had to wait years for such opportunities under the previous circumstances.

[17][18] The trend of younger head coaches with offensive backgrounds has continued, with the media regularly using the term the "next Sean McVay" during hiring cycles.

[27] After spending one season as McVay's defensive coordinator on the Rams, Brandon Staley (38) was hired in the 2021 offseason as head coach of the crosstown Los Angeles Chargers.

[11] Sean McVay and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor — aged 36 and 38, respectively — met in Super Bowl LVI on February 13, 2022.

[42] Stephen Holder of The Athletic reported that in the 2021 season, there were more former McVay assistants serving in top positions than there were African-American head coaches.