Roman Phifer joins the Lions personnel staff in 2018 after serving as UCLA’s Director of Player Development from 2016-17. At UCLA, Phifer oversaw all aspects of day to day player welfare and life skills. He worked closely with the university’s staff to monitor scholastic progress and also was the primary facilitator for all Bruin Football community outreach.

Roman Phifer joins the Lions personnel staff in 2018 after serving as UCLA’s Director of Player Development from 2016-17. At UCLA, Phifer oversaw all aspects of day to day player welfare and life skills. He worked closely with the university’s staff to monitor scholastic progress and also was the primary facilitator for all Bruin Football community outreach.

A former All-American at UCLA, Phifer went on to play 15 seasons in the NFL after originally being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the second round (31st overall) of the 1991 NFL Draft. After eight seasons with the Rams, he spent two seasons (1999-2000) with the New York Jets before joining the New England Patriots. In just four seasons (2001-04) with New England, Phifer helped the franchise capture three Super Bowl titles (XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX) before concluding his playing career with the New York Giants in 2005.

During Phifer’s time in the NFL, he was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate four times and was the Rams “Ed Block Courage Award” winner, an honor bestowed to the player and selected by his teammates that “exemplifies commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage”. Following his playing career, Phifer was hired as an assistant linebackers coach with the Denver Broncos, where he spent two seasons (2009-10).