Coach search will be broad

[RamWraith]

Coach search will be broad
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Dec. 17 2008

At the moment, Jim Haslett is neither in nor out as Rams coach for 2009 and
beyond. No decision has been made on his future with the club, nor will it be
made in the next two weeks.

Instead, team sources told the Post-Dispatch on Tuesday that there will be a
full-fledged search for a head coach, adding that Haslett will be one of the
candidates.

Rams owner Chip Rosenbloom has indicated consistently that he wanted to
evaluate Haslett over the entire 12 remaining games of the season after Haslett
replaced the fired Scott Linehan.

As expected, that makes the two remaining games of the season far from
meaningless for Haslett, the current coaching staff and the players.

The Rams play their final home game of the season Sunday against San Francisco,
a team that routed the Rams 35-16 on Nov. 16 at Candlestick Park. On Dec. 28,
the Rams play their season finale at Atlanta. The surprising Falcons are 9-5
and battling for a wild-card berth.

Atlanta probably will need a victory over St. Louis to reach the postseason. It
can clinch a playoff berth this Sunday, but it would need a victory at
Minnesota, a loss by Tampa Bay (against San Diego), plus additional help in the
form of either losses or ties by Dallas, Philadelphia or Chicago.

So there still is time for Haslett to make an impression on Rosenbloom one way
or the other. Even so, sources say Haslett will not be eliminated from
consideration with two losses. Nor will he be guaranteed the job in the
unlikely event of victories over the ***** and Falcons.

With the end of the season only 11 days away, the entire process is about to
unfold for the Rams. But on Tuesday, Rosenbloom declined to comment when
contacted by the Post-Dispatch.

One team official provided at least some logic for Rosenbloom's silence,
stating simply: "We're currently playing the season. The season's not over."

But as the number of games has dwindled and a critical offseason nears, an
outline has begun to take shape:

— The head-coaching search will be conducted by "football people." More
specifically, executive vice president of player personnel Billy Devaney is
expected to be the point man for the job search. He will identify candidates,
interview them and present a finalist or group of finalists to Rosenbloom. At
the end of the day, Devaney is expected to make a recommendation, with
Rosenbloom giving final approval with input from fellow owners Lucia Rodriguez
and Stan Kroenke.

— The Rams will abide by the NFL's Rooney Rule, meaning at least one minority
candidate will be interviewed for the job.

— Other than sitting in on the finalist interviews and offering his opinion if
asked by Rosenbloom, team President John Shaw will not be involved in hiring
process.

"One of the most important things about this decision is that it is not in the
hands of business people," said a team source. "The recommendation will come
from football people."

Besides the head-coaching search, a front office reorganization also is looming
at Rams Park. All indications are that Jay Zygmunt, the team's president of
football operations and general manager, will step aside in the near future.
And that Shaw no longer will carry the title of team president, but will
instead continue only in the role of consultant to Rosenbloom on financial
matters and league business.

[ScottD413]

I hope they can get Shaw to relinquish his duties in the decision making process. He was great friends with Georgia, and Chip is a mama's boy. I'm afraid Shaw will still be in his ear.

[eldfan]

Coach search will be broad
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
Wednesday, Dec. 17 2008


As expected, that makes the two remaining games of the season far from
meaningless for Haslett, the current coaching staff and the players.

If Haslett is brought back he would have to make almost a clean sweep of the current coaching staff.

[AvengerRam]

Chip is a mama's boy. I'm afraid Shaw will still be in his ear.

That is such a load of crappola. You have no idea whether Chip is or is not a "mama's boy," and you have no basis to say that Shaw will be "in his ear."

Just typical ignorant "it must be true because I wrote it down" thinking.

We could use a lot less of that around here.

[MauiRam]

I hope they can get Shaw to relinquish his duties in the decision making process. He was great friends with Georgia, and Chip is a mama's boy. I'm afraid Shaw will still be in his ear.

How do you know Chip is a "mama's boy?" We have no idea how Chip views Ziggy and Shaw privately. Chip keeps it vanilla when commenting publicly which is no surprise. Let's wait and see what he actually does once the season comes to an end. For all we know he may want Zig and Johnny gone as much as we do .. He is never going to say this publicly even if it is true, for obvious reasons. Shaw may have Chips ear when talking personal finances, estate taxes etc., but I doubt Chip will be seeking his counsel when it comes to football decisions .. He's already seen the havoc wrought on the Rams through their ministrations.

[ScottD413]

That is such a load of crappola. You have no idea whether Chip is or is not a "mama's boy," and you have no basis to say that Shaw will be "in his ear."

Just typical ignorant "it must be true because I wrote it down" thinking.

We could use a lot less of that around here.

Wrong AV. Do some research before you tell me that I am full of crap. Shaw is like a father to Chip. I take offense to being called ignorant...

[evil disco man]

— Other than sitting in on the finalist interviews and offering his opinion if
asked by Rosenbloom, team President John Shaw will not be involved in hiring
process.

"One of the most important things about this decision is that it is not in the
hands of business people," said a team source. "The recommendation will come
from football people."

Besides the head-coaching search, a front office reorganization also is looming
at Rams Park. All indications are that Jay Zygmunt, the team's president of
football operations and general manager, will step aside in the near future.
And that Shaw no longer will carry the title of team president, but will
instead continue only in the role of consultant to Rosenbloom on financial
matters and league business.

Ahhh, music to my ears (or uh, eyes). John Shaw and Jay-Z are officially out of the decision-making circle for the Rams. I've been impressed with Billy Devaney so far - hopefully when he has more responsibility as GM he can put together a real, competent football staff to turn this franchise around.

[bigredman]

That is such a load of crappola. You have no idea whether Chip is or is not a "mama's boy," and you have no basis to say that Shaw will be "in his ear."

Just typical ignorant "it must be true because I wrote it down" thinking.

We could use a lot less of that around here.

You're right AV. Seeing is believing!

[MauiRam]

Shaw is like a father to Chip.

I remember back in the aftermath of Georgia's death reading in the PD that John Shaw was like family to Chip and that they were close. However, Chip is no longer a little boy, and has had time to observe Ziggy & Shaw's handiwork up close and personal. At this point in time Chip is acutely aware of the sorry state of the Rams and I would bet he realizes Shaw and Ziggy are an integral part of the current mess. Have we not heard rumblings that they will be gone at the end of the season? That there will be "football people" making "football" decisions next year? Chip may not turn out to be much of a savior, we'll see - but I don't see how you can justify calling him a "momma's boy." Yes Shaw will always have Chip's phone number, and Chip will probably always be polite enough to listen, but I have a feeling he'll make his own decisions when all is said and done. Shaw and Zig have had their chances, and now it's time to move on.