Jimmy Lake, the LA Rams’ newly appointed defensive backs coordinator who additionally serves because the move sport coordinator, has a historical past with the Rams’ newly acquired cornerback, Trent McDuffie.
WOODLAND HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 2: Trent McDuffie #22 of the Los Angeles Rams traces up in move protection throughout organized staff actions exercise at Rams Village on the Warner Heart on June 2, 2026 in Woodland Hills, California. (Photograph by Kevin Terrell/Getty Photos) Getty Photos
Jimmy Lake was Trent McDuffie’s coach throughout his three-year keep on the College of Washington, first because the Huskies’ defensive coordinator in 2019, then as the top coach in 2020 and ’21.
In 2019, McDuffie’s first with Washington, Lake’s protection restricted opposing offenses to 19.4 factors per sport regardless of shedding 9 defensive starters from the earlier 12 months. In 2021, McDuffie earned All-Pac-12 First Group honors.
McDuffie is aware of the work it’s going to take to play in Jimmy’s system;
“(He’s going to) truly pour into this DB room, which I love,” McDuffie stated about Jimmy on June 8. “Coming from college, Coach Lake was someone that taught me how to play corner, taught me how to see the football field from a coach’s perspective. He’s going to add a lot of great things to this DB room that is young, that is hungry, that wants to get better. He’s a perfectionist, and I think we need to have a coach that’s a perfectionist and that’s going to work on the details day in and day out.”
An attention-grabbing facet observe in Trent McDuffie’s full-circle acquisition by the Rams: he and Quentin Lake (no relation to Jimmy) performed collectively on the identical highschool staff, Mater Dei, in Santa Ana for one season.
I’m considering they acquired a deal on these helmets.
This checklist, compiled by Professional Soccer Reference, completely illustrates the arduous journey coaches can take to succeed in the NFL. As I’m researching his journey, there’s a Beatles tune enjoying in my head. Kudos to anybody who guesses the tune and posts within the feedback!
At Jap Washington, his alma mater, Lake was a defensive backs coach from 2000-2003, after which he moved as much as the Washington Huskies for one 12 months, nonetheless with defensive backs, after which to Montana State.
At Montana, Lake’s protection led the Large Sky convention, permitting simply 165.6 passing yards per sport. The NFL was watching, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed him as their assistant DB coach, the place he stayed for 2 years working below Monte Kiffin.
Onward and upward to the Detroit Lions as their DB coach. These are the notorious 0-16 Lions. Joe Barry, the Lions’ defensive coordinator on the time, additionally acquired his ft moist below the legendary Kiffin.
Again to Tampa working with Raheem Morris in Morris’ first head teaching place for 2 years. One more good defensive mind to be taught from.
From Tampa he returned to varsity ball for ten years. Two years at Boise St. and again as soon as once more to Washington.
Lake rose up by the ranks, lastly turning into the top coach following the sudden resignation of Chris Petersen. In his first 12 months as a head coach, within the covid shortened 4 sport season, the Huskies went 3-1 and received the Pac-12 North Division title.
In his six prior seasons at Washington – two as defensive backs coach, two as co-defensive coordinator and the final two as defensive coordinator – Lake has earned a status as a instructor, recruiter and tactician, serving to the UW grow to be one of many strongest and most constant defensive groups – and particularly one of many prime secondaries – within the nation.
The staff’s efficiency and a sideline scuffle led to Lake’s firing on the finish of the next season.
2023, Lake returns to the NFL with the Rams as Assistant Head Coach, maybe on the suggestion of Raheem Morris. On the finish of the 12 months, he follows Morris to Atlanta because the Defensive Coordinator, the place Morris has been named head coach.
The 12 months didn’t go effectively; Morris was fired, and Lake returned to the Rams in 2025 as Sr. Defensive Assistant.
The 2025 Rams protection was ‘almost good enough’. The defensive backs, specifically, have taken the brunt of the blame for the staff’s lack of ability to carry late leads.
The top workplace did some ‘self-scouting’ within the post-season and rectified the DB scenario by buying 3 time Professional Bowler Trent McDuffie and his companion within the backfield from Kansas Metropolis, Jaylen Watson.
Jimmy Lake was elevated to defensive backs coordinator this 12 months, along with his position as move sport coordinator. The entrance workplace has given him and Chris Shula the entire lacking items to make this protection among the finest within the league.
Nothing wanting a Tremendous Bowl might be referred to as a hit this 12 months, for the Rams, and the protection will play a serious position in reaching that objective.
Jimmy Lake has a wonderful alternative to lastly obtain a lifelong objective.
