The St. Louis Rams announced Les Snead as the club’s new general manager. Snead will oversee the club’s personnel department and scouting efforts while partnering with Head Coach Jeff Fisher to direct all personnel decisions for the club. In addition, Snead will coordinate all aspects of the club’s football operations with the head coach.
“Les Snead is a rising personnel star whose passion for scouting and innovation differentiated him throughout the search process,” Rams Executive Vice President of Football Operations/C.O.O. Kevin Demoff said.
“His vision for making the Rams a sustained winner resonated with our entire organization and the energy and leadership he brings to our building is infectious. He has spent 15 years preparing for this opportunity and we are confident he will deliver the results our organization and fans deserve.”
Prior to joining the Rams, Snead spent 13 seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. He served as the club’s director of player personnel from 2009-11 and also held posts as a pro scout and as the Falcons’ director of pro personnel.
During his time in Atlanta, Snead was part of a personnel staff that signed, traded for or drafted 16 players that went on to earn Pro Bowl honors.
AUDIO Highlights of Les Snead’s press conference (4:00)
Snead helped construct a roster that has been one of the NFL’s best over the last few years. From 2008-11, the Falcons had four consecutive winning seasons, winning 43 games during that time, which are the fifth-most wins in the NFL over that time period. Atlanta earned playoff berths in each of the last two seasons and three of the last four seasons, including a 2010 NFC South Championship. The Falcons participated in one Super Bowl and two NFC Championship games during Snead’s tenure with the club.
“I’m extremely appreciative that Mr. Kroenke has given me this distinct opportunity,” Snead said. “I am impressed with Mr. Kroenke’s organizational paradigm as well as the vision Kevin has for our organization. I am eager to partner with Jeff to begin the process of returning the Rams to our winning ways. I like Jeff’s experience and proven ability to put a competitive football team on the field that win’s consistently.”
Snead joined the Falcons after three seasons (1995-97) in the pro scouting department of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He joined the Jaguars prior to the franchise’s first season and helped put together a team that garnered an AFC Championship Game berth in just its second year of existence. Jacksonville won its first division title in Snead’s final year with the team.
Snead played tight end for Auburn from 1992-93 and was part of the Tigers’ perfect 11-0 team in 1993. He also earned Southeast Region Academic All-American honors during his college career.
