Rams' Kromer has 'best job in the world'

Aaron Kromer, a native of Castalia, firmly believes he has "the best job in the world."After all, how many coaches can boast of the fact they're not only preparing for a Super Bowl, but have a son doing the same?Kromer, a 1985 Margaretta High School graduate, is in his 18th season coaching in the National Football League, and currently works for the NFC champion Los Angeles Rams who will take on the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl on Sunday night in Atlanta."I really mean it — this is the best job in the world," Kromer said. "I not only have the opportunity to be in my third Super Bowl, then to have my son, Zak, alongside me every day is truly special."Kromer's official role with the Rams is run-game coordinator and Zak, his 24-year-old son, works in quality control."This is our third year together, and second with the Rams, and we work with our offensive line, a group that has been declared the best in our league, and for good reason," Kromer said."Zak went to college at Oklahoma and was a volunteer with the football team and worked with Baker Mayfield, who by the way, was the best thing that ever happened to the Browns, in my opinion," Kromer added.He said the Rams put in their game plan last week before traveling to Atlanta."There are so many distractions during that week of the game that we felt it best to get everything together now," Kromer said last week.Kromer, 51, has served primarily as an offensive line coach at all of his six NFL stops. He was an assistant line coach with the Oakland Raiders in 2001, then served as the offensive line coach from 2002-04. He was with the Raiders when they lost Super Bowl XXVII.Kromer moved to Tampa Bay and was with the Buccaneers for three years before joining the new Orleans Saints in 2008. He was the Offensive Line/Running Game coordinator from 2008-12, and was the interim coach for the first six weeks of the 2012 season.It was also with Sean Payton and the Saints that Kromer was in his second Super Bowl, and this time he came away with his Super Bowl ring following the Saints' win over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV in Miami."That was a night I'll never forget," he said. "Not only did we win, but my dad (Aaron) was at the game to be a part of that moment."And, by the way, dad is also going to be in Atlanta this year, along with members of my wife's (Dawn Miller) family. I sure hope they are good-luck charms like they were in Miami."Kromer also has a daughter, Brooke, who is with the NFL Network in Los Angeles.After his stint in New Orleans, Kromer worked with the offensive line in Chicago (2013-14), then with the Buffalo Bills in 2015-16 before joining the Rams and Sean McVay's staff in 2017.Kromer, who played as an offensive lineman at Miami (Ohio), continues to draw praise from members of the Rams' line.Andrew Whitworth, the Rams' veteran left tackle, was quoted recently in the Los Angeles Daily News saying, "I can't say enough about the job that he (Kromer) has done. He's a tremendous football coach and somebody in this league that I think deserves a ton of respect for the job he does."No team has graded better in run blocking this season than the Rams, according to Pro Football Focus.In 18 years in the league, Kromer has helped 16 players earn a total of 23 Pro Bowl appearances.Another telling statistic: The Rams ranked 32nd in scoring in the NFL in 2016, then became the top-scoring team in 2017, the year Kromer joined the staff. To top off this record-setting season, Kromer hopes to be part of another Super Bowl champion.Los Angeles Rams run game coordinator Aaron Kromer Jr. (left) poses with his father, Aaron Sr., and son Zak prior to the Rams' game in Detroit on Dec. 2. Los Angeles won, 30-16.Aaron Kromer (center back) and the Rams offensive line poses with the NFC championship trophy after Los Angeles defeated New Orleans. Zak Kromer, fourth from left, works in offensive quality control for the Rams.