Mike Harris enters his third season with the Los Angeles Rams as a defensive assistant and works closely with the defensive backs.
During his second season with the Rams in 2024, the defensive backs improved under Harris' guidance. The unit finished the season ranked 12th in completions allowed (254) and tied for 12th in interceptions (13).
Rookie S Kamren Kinchens earned Pepsi Rookie of the Week and NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors on two occasions, becoming the first rookie defensive back to win the Defensive Player of the Week award multiple times during his first NFL season. Kinchens and rookie S Jaylen McCollough both recorded multi-interception games last season, marking the first time the Rams had two rookies accomplish the feat since 1964. Additionally, S Quentin Lake tallied 111 tackles last season, the fifth-most by a defensive back in franchise history and the sixth-most among defensive backs in the NFL last season.
During the Wild Card Round against the Minnesota Vikings, CBs Ahkello Witherspoon and Cobie Durant each recorded a sack, marking the first time in NFL history two cornerbacks recorded at least one sack in a playoff game since 1982 when sacks became an official stat.
With the support of Harris in 2023, the Rams finished the regular season ranked third in pass breakups and tied for 15th in passes defended. With Harris' assistance, Witherspoon finished the regular season ranked first in the NFL for incompletions against as the primary defender and former DB Jordan Fuller finished the season as one of 11 players in the NFL to force six or more turnovers with three forced fumbles and three interceptions. Harris also mentored Lake, who finished 11th in the NFL with an 84.6 tackling grade, among defensive players with a minimum of twenty percent of snaps played, according to PFF. Lake also finished with the 35th-best defensive grade (71.2) and 19th-best run defense grade (77.4) among corners with a minimum of twenty percent of snaps played.
Before joining the Rams, Harris spent the 2022 season coaching safeties at John Carroll University. He helped the Blue Streaks finish second in the OAC conference with an 8-2 record. The Blue Streaks' defense also finished 20th in Division III in yards allowed per game (253.2). Harris helped defensive back Josh McLean finish fourth on the team in tackles and first among defensive backs (47). McLean recorded a season-high nine tackles, a tackle for loss and a forced fumble against Washington and Jefferson. He also returned an interception for a touchdown against Muskingum.
Harris joined the John Carroll coaching staff after spending three seasons with the Chicago Bears as an offensive assistant. During his time with the Bears, Harris played an imporant role in pregame preparation with scouting reports and film breakdowns of opposing defenses. On gamedays, he was responsible for charting plays and defensive schemes, assisting in receiver warmups, and providing insight to the Bears' passing game coordinator.
Before his first stint at the NFL ranks, Harris coached wide receivers at his alma mater, Muhlenberg College in 2018.
Following college graduation, Harris spent two years as an assistant coach at Wilkes University where he mentored tight ends and running backs. During his time coaching the tight ends for two seasons, standout tight end Garrett Armstrong earned consecutive all-region honors and was a 2017 preseason All-American. Under the guidance of Harris, Armstrong registered back-to-back seasons with 30 or more receptions and over 330 yards in 10 games played. He had a combined eight touchdown receptions in his two seasons working with Harris.
As a collegiate player for four seasons at Muhlenerg College from 2011-14, Harris played in 25 games as a wide receiver and recorded 52 catches for 599 yards and nine touchdowns. He was the third-leading receiver for a team that finished 8-3 and earned an ECAC bowl berth in 2013.
Harris graduated from Muhlenberg College with a major in business administration with a focus in entrepreneurial studies.
