Key Takeaways
- Troy Hill leaves the NFL to start his coaching career by returning to his high school alma mater.
- Hill reveals Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay is one inspiration in this transition.
- The former NFL defensive back spoke to RG Media about his new endeavor, his ex-teammate Bryce Young, and how he believes Davante Adams will fit in L.A.
Troy Hill is now the head coach at his alma mater in California (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Troy Hill is turning to the headset and high school playbook after 10 seasons in the NFL.
He’s tapping into his past league life in this transitional phase, though. The former cornerback is leading his high school alma mater, St. Bonaventure High in Ventura, California, this fall. The same place where he became a star wide receiver and defender before heading to Oregon, then the pros.
He’s considered “Coach Hill” to the Seraphs. Yet laughs at the title – as he’s still getting used to it.
“Haha, I don’t think they can call me that. I’m still adjusting to it to be honest with you,” Hill said in a one-on-one interview with RG. “They call me Coach Hill. But it’s cool. I’m excited about it and I’m enjoying this process for sure.”
Hill Using Knowledge From McVay
Hill came back to the place he said, “gave me the discipline, support, and faith to believe in something bigger than myself,” when the school officially announced him as head coach in May.
He’s a first-time head coach at any level. So, is he drawing inspiration from his past league mentors?
“A lot of that,” Hill said regarding whether he’s incorporating previous knowledge from his previous NFL head coaches. “Including some of the things I believe in too. But I’ve been around some great coaches. And I’m blessed to be able to say I did get that knowledge from them.”
One has constructed a famed coaching tree taking over the league: Sean McVay.
The Los Angeles Rams head coach has produced future leaders in Matt LaFleur, Kevin O’Connell, and Zac Taylor. All three have built playoff contenders at their respective posts. Taylor eventually faced his former Rams mentor in Super Bowl LVI. Even Raheem Morris dipped back into head coaching after his 2021 to 2023 run with McVay as the Rams' defensive coordinator.
Hill acknowledges the strong intellect of McVay, which includes handing him this stirring title.
“He’s one of the best I’ve ever been around, to be honest with you,” Hill said. “Just the way he goes about it. When I first came into the league, I saw how innovative he was. It was just exciting. And I’m trying to bring that same thing over here.”
The longtime NFL defender has become a closet “McVay.” He’s installing and running the offense for the Seraphs.
Is Hill the next one to come out of that famed McVay tree? He laughed at the thought.
“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time,” Hill said smiling. “Not even thinking about it like that. But I’m out here having fun with the guys and teaching them things.”
Hill isn’t just drawing inspiration from McVay. He learned how to relate to players in the fashion of Morris, who became a popular figure in the Rams’ locker room.
“He kept it real with us,” Hill said of Morris. “And I think that’s where you can see the similarities are with me.”
Hill helped galvanize the Ventura County fanbase for the Rams as a prized local talent playing for L.A. in two stints. He built a strong following in Oxnard and Ventura after suiting up for the franchise across five seasons (2016–2020, 2022).
Hill returned in ‘22 by tallying 67 total tackles, including 22 solo stops. The 5-foot-10 CB piled his most career stops (137) for the Rams. He also picked off eight of his nine career interceptions with the horns on his helmet.
Rewards of Coaching
Hill is helping give back to the place he credits for molding him into who he is. Now he’s energized for this job role outside of play-calling: Pushing his players in front of college football coaches on the recruiting trail.
“I love that,” Hill said. “The fact that I know talent and seen what it looks like, I should have a little voice in it.”
His 2025 roster features future college talent already. Nevada verbal commit Matt Perez anchors one of the edge rusher spots. Opposite of him is Walker Moore – committed to San Diego State and heading to the Pac-12, the conference Hill starred in at Oregon. Even Class of 2028 quarterback Jaxson Carper holds early scholarship offers, with ’24 College Football Playoff team SMU among those on him early.
“We’ve got a lot of talent. I’m excited about that,” Hill said.
He once practiced against Matthew Stafford, Bryce Young, and Baker Mayfield. Carper is rising as an intriguing future talent. Carper is advanced already at understanding defensive coverages at such a young age, Hill added.
Encouragement For Bryce Young
The newest prep head coach is keeping his young QB encouraged. Hill comes with previous motivational tactics for one young NFL passer.
The veteran briefly made a stop in Charlotte with another Southern California native in Bryce Young. But during a time when the Pasadena native momentarily got criticized by fans, then later benched by Dave Canales.
The former top overall pick of the 2023 draft caught fire towards the end of ’24, however. Young threw a combined seven touchdowns with zero interceptions in leading the Carolina Panthers’ late charge.
Hill, however, isn’t surprised by how Young improved.
“Bryce was always a cool dude,” Hill said in looking back at Young’s composure during that moment. “I always told Bryce ‘You’re going to be alright.’”
Hill believes the now third-year passer is bound to explode in 2025.
“He’s in a good position now. They put some weapons around him now. He’s going to be good this year,” Hill added.
Carolina now added Tetairoa McMillan via the April draft. Xavier Legette is already in place in Charlotte. Even sixth-round selection Jimmy Horn brings early intrigue and is reportedly impressing during Panther camp.
Hill likes the wideouts surrounding his former Carolina QB. But he especially loves a certain weapon coming to another locker room he knows well.
Hill’s Outlook on Adams' Fit With Rams
The incoming St. Bonaventure head coach once backpedaled and covered Cooper Kupp at Thousand Oaks during Rams practices. Allen Robinson Hill encountered as well. Then Mike Evans in 2024 during Hill’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers run.
Adams is now entering the “Rams House.” And Hill is loving that fit.
“I think that’s a good look. And I think McVay is going to do something special with him,” Hill said. “Especially with Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams already there.”
Does he envision the Rams as a surprise Super Bowl contender? Especially with the perennial Pro Bowler newly inserted in L.A.?
“Different” Adjustment With Coaching
Hill takes over a program with a proud history featuring multiple California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section championships. With each title emblazoned on the outside wall of the football locker room.
He’s using the brain of McVay and his past head coaching leaders to fuel his own career on the sidelines. But admits there’s a “different” part of this transition.
“It’s a little different at the high school level. Some of the things I try to put on them, I’m having to cut back on sometimes,” Hill said. “I’m understanding they’re still kids.”
But he’s having a blast with these real principles he’s trying to teach at “Bonnie.”
“I’m having fun with the guys teaching them things…teaching them about character and being a stand-up guy because you never know who’s watching,” he said. “Just teaching them life lessons like that and bringing excitement back to Bonnie football.”
