Kliff Kingsbury is entering his first season with the Los Angeles Rams as the assistant head coach.
He joins the Rams after spending the previous two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders. During the 2025 season in Washington, Kingsbury's offensive unit finished fourth in rushing yards per game (134.7), fifth in yards per rush (4.6), ninth in fourth down conversion rate (64.5%), fourth in red zone efficiency (63.2%) and eighth in goal to go efficeincy (80.8%). The offensive unit had the fourth-most rushing yards (2,290) and eighth-most rushing touchdowns (20) during the regular season.
During his first season in Washington in 2024, Kingsbury helped guide the Commanders to the NFC Championship game with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The offense finished the regular season ranked seventh in yards per game (369.6), fifth in point scored per game (28.53), 10th in yards per play (5.7), third in rushing yards per game (154.1), fourth in yards per rush (5.0), fourth in first downs per game (22.4), sixth in third down conversion rate (45.6%) and sixth in red zone efficiency (63.4%). Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin were voted to the Pro Bowl. McLaurin also earned Second-team All-Pro honors.Â
Daniels finished ninth in the NFL in offensive touchdowns (31) and 10th in passing touchdowns (25). McLaurin finished with his fifth 1,000-yard season and his 13 receiving touchdowns were the second-most in the NFL that season.Â
Prior to joining the Commanders, Kingbury spent the 2023 season as a senior offensive analyst at University of Southern California. USC's offense scored 41.85 points per game that season and Kingsbury worked closely with Caleb Williams, who became the first overall selection of the 2024 NFL Draft.Â
Before his time at USC, Kingsbury was the head coach for the Arizona Cardinals for four seasons (2-19-22). In 2021, he led the Cardinals to an 11-6 record and secured a playoff berth. Kingsbury became the first coach since 2015 to record 11 or more wins in a single season and lead the Cardinals to the postseason. The Cardinals offense finished the season ranked in the top-10 in total offense (eighth), touchdowns scored (tied for eighth), and rushing offense (10th). Arizona was one of three teams to rank in the top-10 in total rushing and passing offense that season and five players received Pro Bowl honors.Â
In 2020, Kingsbury helped Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray throw for a career-high 3,971 passing yards and 26 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors. That season, the Cardinals improved to 8-8 and three players earned trips to the Pro Bowl. In his first year under Kingsbury's guidance in 2019, Murray earned AP Offensive Rookie of the Year recognition.Â
From 2013-18, Kingsbury was the head coach at his alma mater, Texas Tech. The Red Raiders ranked in the top-10 for passing yards and top-20 in total offense in each season Kingsbury called plays for the offense. His team also averaged at least 30 points per game in every season.Â
In 2015, Texas Tech ranked second in the country in total offense (570.5 yards per game), passing offense (388.2 passing yards per game) and scoring offense (45.1 points per game). QB Patrick Mahomes threw for 4,633 yards and 36 touchdowns, becoming the youngest quarterback in NCAA history to amass 5,000 yards of total offense as he led the nation in that category (393.0).Â
Before his coaching stint at Texas Tech, Kingsbury served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas A&M, where he helped Johnny Manziel become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy. The Aggies ranked third nationally in total offense (558.3), 13th in rushing offense (242.1) and 14th in passing offense (316.5).Â
Kingsbury began his coaching career at Houston, where he spent four seasons and served as an offensive quality control coach, quarterbacks coach and a co-offensive coordinator. In 2011, the Cougars led the nation in total offense (599.1), passing offense (450.1) and scoring (49.3). QB Case Keenum completed his record-setting career and won the Sammy Baugh Trophy while being named a Heisman finalist.Â
Kingsbury was drafted by the New England Patriots in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He spent the 2003 season on injured reserve with the Patriots and later signed to the New Orleans Saints practice squad in 2004. Kingsbury played for the New York Jets in 2005 and appeared in one game. In 2006, he participated in training camp for the Buffalo Bills before playing for the Cologne Centurions of NFL Europe. The following year he spend time with the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League before spending a season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.Â
During his collegiate playing career, Kingsbury became one of three players in NCAA history to have mroe than 12,000 passing yards and total yards, with more than 1,000 completions. He set school records, 16 Big 12 records and 17 NCAA records. As a 2002 senior, he won the Sammy Baugh Trophy and was the AP Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year.