get to know some of the coaches

[RamWraith]

Friday, May 19, 2006

Name: Bob Ligashesky

Position: Special Teams Coach

Born: June 2, 1962 in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Education: Sto-Rox High School, McKees Rocks, Pa. Graduated, 1980. Indiana University ( Indiana, Pa.). Degree in exercise science, 1985.

Family: Married, wife Shelley, television reporter and anchor.

Playing Experience: Linebacker in high school. Defensive back in college.

Coaching Responsibilities: All aspects of special teams from kickers to punters to return and coverage units. Analyzes and contributes to evaluation of special teams players and formulates special teams game plans.

Coaching Experience:

1985--Graduate Assistant,Wake Forest.

1986-88--Graduate Assistant, Arizona State.

1989-90--Outside Linebackers/Special Teams, Kent State.

1991-98--Linebackers/Special Teams, Bowling Green State.

1999--Assistant head coach/linebackers/ special teams, Bowling Green State.

2000-03--Tight ends/special teams, University of Pittsburgh.

2004--Assistant Special Teams, Jacksonville Jaguars.

2005-06--Special Teams, St. Louis Rams.

Coaching Influences: Pete Rodriguez (Jacksonville) – Rodriguez was special teams coach at Jacksonville when Ligashesky broke into NFL. They helped Jaguars to Top 10 ranking in punt return average and kick return defense.

Frank Gansz, Sr. –Ligashesky met Gansz at a clinic in Pittsburgh, where the retired former NFL coach and special teams coach for the Rams’ Super Bowl XXXIV championship team, was addressing a group of coaches. Gansz has become a mentor.

Prominent Performers: Jeff Wilkins (Rams kicker), Trev Faulk (Rams special teamer), Kris Wilson (U. Pittsburgh/Kansas City Chiefs tight end), Andy Lee (U. Pittsburgh punter/San Francisco *****), Torrie Cox (U. Pittsburgh/Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Khary Campbell (Bowling Green State/Washington Redskins).

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...With Willy Robinson
Friday, May 19, 2006

Name: Willy Robinson

Position: Secondary Coach

Born: Feb. 10, 1956 in Fort Carson, Colo.

Education: Redwood High School, Visalia, Calif. College of Sequoia (Calif)., Fresno State. Degree in physical education.

Family: Two daughters, Brittany and Mallory.

Playing Experience: College of Sequoia, 1975-1976. Fresno State, 1977-1978.

Coaching Responsibilities: In charge of developing, evaluating and implementing defensive strategy for members of the defensive backfield including cornerbacks and safeties.

Coaching Experience:

1978--Graduate Assistant, Fresno State.

1979--Outside Linebackers, San Jose State.

1980-1986--Secondary, Fresno State.

1987--Outside Linebackers, Fresno State.

1988-1989--Co-defensive Coordinator/outside linebackers, Fresno State.

1990-1991--Co-defensive Coordinator/secondary/special teams, Fresno State.

1992-1993--Defensive Coordinator, Fresno State.

1994--Secondary, University of Miami.

1995-1998--Secondary, Seattle Seahawks.

1999--Defensive Coordinator/Secondary, Oregon State.

2000-2003--Defensive Backs, Pittsburgh Steelers.

2004--Defensive Coordinator, San Francisco *****.

2005--Senior Defensive Assistant/Secondary, New Orleans Saints.

Coaching Influences: Dennis Erickson – Worked with Erickson at a number of stops including his stint as the defensive coordinator for the ***** in 2004.

Bill Cowher – Coached defensive backs for Cowher with the Steelers from 2000-2003 in helping form one of the best defenses in the league.

Prominent Performers: Courtney Griffin (Fresno State), Marquez Pope (Fresno State), Shawn Springs (Seattle Seahawks), Daryl Williams (Seattle Seahawks), Chad Scott (Pittsburgh Steelers), Deshea Townsend (Pittsburgh Steelers), Julian Peterson (San Francisco *****), Bryant Young (San Francisco *****).

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...With Randy Hanson
Friday, May 19, 2006

Name: Randy Hanson

Position: Offensive Quality Control

Born: Jan. 17, 1968 in Sacramento, Calif.

Education: Delta Junior College, (Stockton, Calif.), 1987, Walla Walla (Wash.) Community College, 1988-1989, Pacific University, 1990-1991, degree in communications. Eastern Washington, degree in secondary education.

Family: Married, wife Laura.

Playing Experience: Quarterback—Delta Junior College, Walla Walla Community College, Pacific University.

Coaching Responsibilities: Hanson helps the offensive coaches install game plans, monitors offensive players during practice and ensures that each player is handling his assignment.

Coaching Experience: 1993-1995—Assistant Secondary, Eastern Washington.

1996-1997—Graduate Assistant, University of Washington.

1998-1999—Secondary, Eastern Washington.

2000—Secondary, Portland State.

2001-2002—Secondary/Special Teams, Portland State.

2003-2004—Offensive Assistant, Minnesota Vikings.

2005—Offensive Assistant/Assistant Quarterbacks, Minnesota Vikings.

Coaching Influences: Scott Linehan (Vikings/Rams) – Linehan was the offensive coordinator for the Vikings when Hanson broke into the league and has been the main offensive NFL influence in Hanson’s young career.

Prominent Performers: Daunte Culpepper (Vikings QB), Randy Moss (Vikings WR), Nate Burleson (Vikings WR).

[RAM-BO]

" Willy Robinson...
Prominent Performers: Courtney Griffin (Fresno State), Marquez Pope (Fresno State), Shawn Springs (Seattle Seahawks), Daryl Williams (Seattle Seahawks), Chad Scott (Pittsburgh Steelers), Deshea Townsend (Pittsburgh Steelers), Julian Peterson (San Francisco *****), Bryant Young (San Francisco *****)."

That is a very good list of DB's.

[Drew4EverRams]

id like to see Bryant Young and Peterson try to cover Holt and Curtis!:tongue:

apart from the Linehan& Haslett hiring the one im most hyped about is Rick Venturi,i hope he can get good production out of our LB corps!

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...With Henry Ellard
Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Name: Henry Ellard

Position: Wide Receivers Coach

Born: July 21, 1961.

Education: Attended Fresno State.

Family: Wife Lillian, daughters Christiana, Alexandria and Adriana, son Henry Austin Jr. and daughter Whitney.

Playing Experience:

1983-1993--Wide Receiver, Los Angeles Rams.

1994-1997--Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins.

1998--Wide Receiver, New England Patriots.

1998--Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins.

Coaching Responsibilities: In charge of the team’s wide receiver corps, one of the league’s most productive since his arrival in St. Louis. Evaluates, develops and works with receivers on a daily basis.

Coaching Experience: 1999--Assistant Coach, Southern California Christian High, Orange, Calif.

2000--Student Assistant, Fresno State.

2001-2002--Offensive assistant/wide receivers, St. Louis Rams.

2003-present--Wide Receivers, St. Louis Rams.

Coaching Influences: Mike Martz – Broke into the NFL under the guidance of Martz and his high-powered offense. Coached the receivers to one of the best offensive seasons in league history in 2001.

John Robinson – Played for Robinson for the Los Angeles Rams at the beginning of his career on his way to becoming one of the most productive receivers in franchise history.

Notable: Qualified for the 1992 Olympic trials in the triple jump with a leap of 54 feet, 1 inch…holds the NCAA record for yards per catch in a season with 24.4 in 1982…went to three Pro Bowls…known for doing back flips in the end zone after scoring a touchdown.

[txramsfan]

Henry Ellard. Part of another dynamic duo at WR for the Rams. Him and Flipper were a tough pair.

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...With Paul Boudreau
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Name: Paul Boudreau

Position: Offensive Line Coach

Born: Dec. 30, 1949 in Arligton, Mass.

Education: Boston College

Family: Wife Joan, son Paul, daughter Jill.

Playing Experience: Three years of football and baseball at Boston College.

Coaching Responsibilities: Oversees the development and production of the offensive line on a daily basis, teaching blocking techniques and fundamentals and installing plays.

Coaching Experience: 1973--Assistant coach, Oxford (Mass.) High.

1974-1975--Offensive Line, Boston College.

1976-1978--Offensive Line, Maine.

1979-1981--Offensive Line, Dartmouth.

1982--Offensive Line, Navy.

1983-1986--Offensive Line, Edmonton Eskimos (CFL).

1987-1993--Offensive Line, New Orleans Saints.

1994-1996--Offensive Line, Detroit Lions.

1997-1998--Offensive Line, New England Patriots.

1999-2000--Offensive Line, Miami Dolphins.

2001-2002--Offensive Line, Carolina Panthers.

2003-2005--Offensive Line, Jacksonville Jaguars.


Notable: Was also an accomplished baseball player, earning three letters in it at Boston College…has coached successful offensive lines that have blocked for the likes of Curtis Martin, Fred Taylor and Barry Sanders…son is an assistant coach at Brown University in Providence, R.I.

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...With Brian Baker
Thursday, May 25, 2006

Name: Brian Baker

Position: Defensive Line Coach

Education: University of Maryland, 1985, degree in marketing.

Family: Married, wife Nevada, three daughters, Nicole, Jade and Jasmine.

Playing Experience: Outside Linebacker, Maryland, 1981-1983.

Coaching Responsibilities: Baker oversees all aspects of the defensive line, evaluating the members of the line, teaching fundamentals and techniques and installing defensive strategy.

Coaching Experience: 1984-1985—Outside Linebackers, Maryland.

1986—Fullbacks, Army.

1987-1994—Outside Linebackers, Georgia Tech.

1995—Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers, Georgia Tech.

1996—Defensive Line, San Diego Chargers.

1997-2000—Defensive Line, Detroit Lions.

2001—Defensive Line, Minnesota Vikings.

2002-2003—Linebackers, Minnesota Vikings.

2004-2005—Defensive Line, Minnesota Vikings.

Coaching Influences: Bobby Ross – Ross was the head coach at Georgia Tech with Baker and gave Baker his first NFL opportunity by bringing him to San Diego after getting that job. Baker helped Ross’ Yellow Jackets to a split national championship in 1990.

Notable: As an outside linebacker at Maryland, Baker helped the team to an undefeated 1983 season and a conference championship…has helped develop a number of Pro Bowl defensive linemen including Robert Porcher, Kevin Williams and Luther Elliss…worked with Bobby Ross almost exclusive for the first part of his career.

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...With Rick Venturi
Thursday, May 25, 2006

Name: Rick Venturi

Position: Assistant Head Coach/Linebackers

Born: Feb. 23, 1946, Taylorville, Ill.

Education: Rockford-Auburn High School (Ill.). Northwestern University, dual degree in history and physical education.

Family: Wife Cheri, daughter Marin, son Jason.

Playing Experience: Quarterback and defensive back at Northwestern University.

Coaching Responsibilities: As assistant head coach serves as the backup to coach Linehan should he need to fill in head coaching duties. Also in charge of linebackers and helps them learn and install the defensive game plan. Evaluates, develops and works with linebackers on a daily basis.

Coaching Experience:

1968--Graduate Assistant, Northwestern.

1969-1972--Defensive backfield, Northwestern.

1973-1976--Linebackers, Purdue.

1977--Defensive backs, Illinois.

1978-1980--Head Coach, Northwestern.

1981--Linebackers, Hamilton Tiger Cats (CFL).

1982-1983--Linebackers, Baltimore Colts.

1984--Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Indianapolis Colts.

1985-1990--Linebackers, Indianapolis Colts.

1991-1993--Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Indianapolis Colts.

1994--Secondary, Cleveland Browns.

1995--Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Cleveland Browns.

1996--Linebackers, New Orleans Saints.

1997--Assistant head coach/linebackers, New Orleans Saints.

1998--Assistant head coach/secondary, New Orleans Saints.

1999--Assistant head coach/linebackers, New Orleans Saints.

2000-2001--Assistant head coach/secondary, New Orleans Saints.

2002-2005—Defensive Coordinator, New Orleans Saints.

Coaching Influences: Joe Venturi – Father and high school coach got Rick interested in football at a young age and helped him develop his love for the game.

Alex Agassi – Coached Venturi at Northwestern and gave him his first coaching opportunity there.

Notable: Venturi’s father is in the Illinois High School Football coaches Hall of Fame and one of the winningest coaches in state history…has served as interim head coach for the Colts and the Saints.

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...With Jim Chaney
Friday, May 26, 2006

Name: Jim Chaney

Position: Assistant Offensive Line

Born: Jan. 12, 1962 in Holden, Mo.

Education: Central Missouri State, 1985, degree in physical education.

Family: Married, wife Lisa, daughters Elizabeth and Sara.

Playing Experience: Central Missouri State, guard, 1981-1985.

Coaching Responsibilities: Assists line coach Paul Boudreau in the development, evaluation and day to day work with the members of the offensive line. Helps implement game plans, protections and schemes in conjunction with Boudreau.

Coaching Experience: 1985-1987—Offensive Line, Cal State Fullerton.

1988—Running backs/recruiting coordinator, Cal State Fullerton.

1989-1990—Wide Receivers/Special Teams/Recruiting Coordinator, Cal State Fullerton.

1991-1992—Quarterbacks/Offensive Coordinator, Cal State Fullerton.

1993-1994—Graduate Assistant, Tight Ends, Wyoming.

1995-1996—Offensive Line/Recruiting Coordinator, Wyoming.

1997—Co-offensive coordinator/offensive line/recruiting coordinator, Purdue.

1998—Offensive coordinator/offensive line/recruiting coordinator, Purdue.

1999-2001—Offensive Coordinator/tight ends/recruiting coordinator, Purdue.

2002—Offensive Coordinator/Offensive Line, Purdue.

2003-2005—Offensive Coordinator/Tight Ends, Purdue.

Coaching Influences: Joe Tiller – Head coach at Purdue gave Chaney his first major Division I experience and first coordinator job in the Boilermakers’ high-powered offense where together Tiller and Chaney helped mold one of the best offenses in the nation.

Notable: As offensive coordinator at Purdue, helped form Tiller’s spread offense into one of the best in the nation as the Boilermakers finished in the top 10 nationally in total offense six times…offense was so prolific that the Boilermakers once went 97 yards in 30 seconds to beat Minnesota…was instrumental in the development of NFL quarterbacks Drew Brees and Kyle Orton.

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...with Brad Roll
Sunday, May 28, 2006

Name: Brad Roll

Position: Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach

Born: July 4, 1958 in Houston, Texas.

Education: Blinn (Texas) Junior College, Stephen F. Austin, degree in education, master’s in education.


Playing Experience: Center, Blinn Junior College and Stephen F. Austin.

Coaching Responsibilities: Assists strength and conditioning coach Dana LeDuc in putting together offseason and in-season weightlifting and conditioning programs for the players. Works to get team members in optimum condition to perform on the field.

Coaching Experience: 1980—Graduate Assistant, Stephen F. Austin.

1981-1986—Strength and Conditioning, Louisiana-Lafayette.

1987-1988—Strength and Conditioning, Kansas.

1989-1992—Strength and Conditioning—University of Miami.

1993-1995—Strength and Conditioning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1996-2003—Assistant Strength and Conditioning, Miami Dolphins.

2004-2005—Strength and Conditioning, Buffalo Bills.


Prominent Performers: Cortez Kennedy (Miami DL/Seahawks DL), Warren Sapp (Miami DL/Oakland DL), Leon Searcy (Miami OL/NFL OL), Dwayne Johnson (Miami DL/Professional Wrestler, Actor).

[live4ramin]

Maybe Jim Cheney will become a conduit in getting Bears quarterback Kyle Orton into a RAMS uni. I think Orton will be a star in this league, he was thrown into the fire too early last year and then had the door slammed in his face with the return of Rex Grossman and the accuisition of Brian Greise. Orton will hone his skills under the tutalige of Wade Wilson.

[RamWraith]

Catching Up...with Doug Nussmeier
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Name: Doug Nussmeier

Position: Quarterbacks Coach

Born: Dec. 11, 1970 in Lake Oswego, Ore.

Education: University of Idaho

Family: Married, wife Cristi, son Garrett, daughter Ashlynn.

Playing Experience: 1989-1993-- Quarterback, Idaho.

1994-1997—Quarterback, New Orleans Saints.

1998—Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts.

2000—Quarterback, British Columbia Lions (CFL).

Coaching Responsibilities: Ov