Rams make Sean McVay youngest head coach in NFL history

The Los Angeles Rams made NFL history with their coaching hire on Thursday.

In being named to the Rams' top job, former Washington Redskins offensive coordinator Sean McVay, 30, becomes the youngest coach to ever lead a team. Former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, who was appointed to the position at 31 in 2007, was the previous holder of the title. McVay turns 31 on Jan. 24.

The Rams' deal with McVay is for five years, a person with knowledge of the contract told USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because terms had not been made public.

McVay helped Washington finish with the No. 3 overall offense this season, his third as coordinator.

"This is an exciting day for the Los Angeles Rams as we welcome Sean McVay as our new head coach," Rams owner Stan Kroenke said in a release. "The accomplishments and success that he has rendered in less than a decade in our league are remarkable. I am confident in his vision to make this team a consistent winner and to ultimately bring a Super Bowl title home to Los Angeles."

In Los Angeles, McVay will be faced with rebuilding an offense that ranked last in the NFL in each of the past two seasons. The Rams finished 4-12 and are without their first-round draft pick after trading up last year to select quarterback Jared Goff with the No. 1 overall pick.

McVay will have some veteran held on his staff, as Wade Phillips is joining the team as the defensive coordinator on a lucrative three-year deal, a person familiar with the move told USA TODAY Sports' Tom Pelissero. The person spoke on condition of anoymity because the move had not been announced.

Phillips previously led the Denver Broncos' defense, which finished fourth this season and first in its Super Bowl-winning 2015 campaign.