The Rams moved closer Wednesday to hiring a new head coach, interviewing Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay for the second time.

He is the prime focus of their coaching search, and it is possible they could hire McVay as soon as Thursday.

A second interview served as the immediate precursor for two NFL coaches hired Wednesday, Vance Joseph by the Denver Broncos and Sean McDermott by the Buffalo Bills.

McVay, 30, would become the youngest coach in NFL history.


The Rams, San Diego Chargers and San Francisco 49ers are still in the hunt for a head coach — with a shrinking candidate pool of NFL assistants.

McVay was the first assistant to earn a follow-up meeting with the Rams, who have conducted eight known interviews. Houston Texans linebacker coach Mike Vrabel is scheduled for this week.

The Rams also are scheduled to meet with Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, architect of the NFL’s highest-scoring offense, after the Falcons’ playoff game at home Saturday against the Seattle Seahawks.

But on Wednesday, Shanahan told reporters in Atlanta that he does not know when he’ll be able to interview with the Rams.


Shanahan said that his focus has been on Saturday’s game and that he should know more about a possible time to speak with the Rams if the Falcons win “but I haven’t asked,” according to the Associated Press.

McVay, who turns 31 this month, has been Washington’s offensive coordinator for three seasons and is credited with developing quarterback Kirk Cousins into a front-line starter.

Washington ranked third in the NFL in offense this season, averaging 403.4 yards per game. The offense was 12th in scoring, averaging 24.8 points per game.

McVay, who attended college at Miami (Ohio), got his coaching start on Jon Gruden’s staff with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is the grandson of former San Francisco 49ers executive John McVay, who was part of five Super Bowl titles.


gary.klein@latimes.com

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