Jimmy Lake is entering his first season as the pass game coordinator and defensive backs coach for the Rams.
He re-joined the Rams in 2025 as a senior defensive assistant after spending a season as the Defensive Coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons. During the 2025 season, Lake helped prepare the offense for opposing defenses each week and guided the offense to rank atop the NFL in many statistical categories. The Rams appeared in the NFC Championship game that season.
During his time with the Falcons in 2024, the defense finished seventh in interception return yards (187) and led the NFC with three interceptions returned for touchdowns. LB Kaden Ellis finished sixth in the NFL in tackles (150) which ranks third in Falcons franchise history. Ellis also finished with the ninth-best pass rush grade (81.4) among linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). Additionally, S Jessie Bates III finished the season ranked fourth in the NFL in forced fumbles (four) and top-10 in interceptions (four). According to PFF, he ranked 10th in coverage grade (81.4) and ended the season with a 80.2 overall defensive grade among safeties.
Prior to joining the Falcons, Lake was the assistant head coach for the Rams in 2023. During his first stint with the Rams, he helped the team bounce back from a 5-12 season in 2022 to post a 10-7 record and earn a Wild Card berth.
Lake joined the Rams following two seasons as head coach at the University of Washington where he oversaw some of the nation's top defensive units and developed several NFL prospects. In his first season as the Huskies' head coach in 2020, he led the team to a 3-1 record and won the Pac-12 North Division title. Washington led the conference in total defense and four players earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors.
Prior to being named the head coach, Lake spent the previous six seasons in various roles on Washington's staff, including defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for two seasons from 2018-19. In 2019, Lake oversaw a unit that limited opposing offenses to 19.4 points per game despite losing nine defensive starters from the previous year.
In his first year as the Huskies' defensive play caller, Lake fielded a defense that led the Pac-12 in scoring defense (15.5) and total defense (301.8 yards per game). The Huskies also ranked second in the conference in rushing defense, passing yards and passing efficiency.
Lake was Washington's co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach for two seasons from 2016-17. The Huskies led the Pac-12 and ranked eighth nationally in total defense, while also leading the conference and ranking fifth nationally in scoring defense in 2017. Washington also allowed the fewest yards per completion in the nation that season (9.42). In 2016, Washington rode its stellar defense to a 12-2 record and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. The Husky defense led the FBS in takeaways (33), ranked eighth in the country in scoring defense (17.7) and 12th in the nation in total defense (316.9). Washington finished the 2016 season leading the Pac-12 in first downs allowed and third down conversion rate, while ranking second in the conference in red zone defense, rushing defense and sacks.
In 2015, as the defensive backs coach, Lake's unit helped the Huskies lead the Pac-12 in scoring defense, total defense and red-zone defense. Washington also ranked second in passing efficiency and rushing defense. Lake joined Washington's staff in 2014, following head coach Chris Peterson from Boise State.
Lake spent two seasons at Boise State (2012-13) where he worked as the defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator. In 2013, he oversaw one of the top units in the Mountain West, allowing a conference-low 17 touchdown passes. The previous season, the Broncos defense ranked among the best in the nation in passing defense, passing efficiency, total defense and scoring defense.
Prior to landing in Boise, Lake spent two seasons with the Buccaneers, the second of two stints in Tampa Bay, coaching the defensive backs. He started his NFL career with the Bucs as an assistant defensive backs coach for two seasons from 2006-07 before taking over as the Detroit Lions defensive backs coach.
Prior to landing in Boise, Lake spent two seasons with the Buccaneers, the second of two stints in Tampa Bay, coaching the defensive backs. He started his NFL career with the Bucs as an assistant defensive backs coach for two seasons from 2006-07 before taking over as the Detroit Lions defensive backs coach.
Lake spent one year at Montana State in 2005 where he coached a secondary that led the Big Sky conference, allowing just 165.6 passing yards per game. Prior to Montana State, he was the secondary coach at Washington.
Lake got his coaching start at his alma mater, Eastern Washington, coaching the secondary from 2000-03. He was an All-Big Sky honorable mention as a strong safety and an academic all-conference selection, graduating from Eastern Washington with a degree in business administration in 2000.
Lake is a native of Walnut Creek, Calif.. He has lived in Turkey and the Philippines, among other places, before settling in Spokane, Wash., as his father served in the U.S. Air Force. He and his wife, Michele, have three children: Jimmy Jr., Faith and Bronson.
