Wagoner on the coaches

[RamWraith]

By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer

One week into their coaching search the Rams had interviewed four candidates. A week and a half into the search, they had talked to seven. Now, two weeks since the search began, the end appears in sight as the team has trimmed the list to what is believed to be a group of three finalists.

Two of those finalists do not come as much of a surprise and have been in the race since the search began. Sources close to the situation have indicated that Miami offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is one of the three finalists given a second interview, meeting with the Rams on Monday. The other anticipated finalist, Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera is also expected to get a shot at another interview. The other finalist is a darkhorse and late bloomer in the form of San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.

Rivera’s name was the first name brought up in the coaching search as Rams President John Shaw publicly confirmed interest in Rivera on the day the team parted ways with head coach Mike Martz.

Rivera had his initial interview in Chicago last week while helping his team prepare for what would turn out to be an NFC Divisional Playoff loss to Carolina on Sunday. Rivera’s defense, which performed at or near the top of the league all season was gashed by the Panthers in Sunday’s game.

The bad news is that performance would leave a sour taste in the mouth of any team looking at him as head coach, but the good news for Rivera is that it freed him up to have another interview this week, an interview that likely will take place by mid week. Of course, one bad performance won’t likely be held against a candidate (the Rams’ struggles against Carolina in the 2003 playoffs didn’t deter the Bears from hiring Lovie Smith).

While Rivera has long been thought highly of by a number of people close to the search, Linehan appears to have emerged as a frontrunner and has helped cause a slight alteration in the Rams’ original plans.

Linehan has shown a pattern of success as an offensive coach, leading the Vikings to one of the most prolific offenses in the league in his time there and helping revamp a stagnant Miami offense that went from near the bottom of the league to the middle of the pack this season.

Cameron’s candidacy comes as somewhat of a surprise considering it appeared as recently as the middle of last week that the list would be trimmed without any more names being added to the hat.

But Cameron was apparently impressive enough in his interview and is thought highly of around the league, making him an intriguing late entry to the mix.

Cameron was an important part of a talented San Diego offense, playing to the strength of running back LaDainian Tomlinson, but also doing an impressive turnaround job with quarterback Drew Brees. His interview will likely take place today or tomorrow in California.

The surprise addition of Cameron to the list brings an interesting shift in what was believed to be the plan for the coaching search. Initially, all signs pointed to the team searching for a defensive-minded, tough head coach.

But with a short list of viable offensive coordinator candidates and a lengthy list of defensive coordinator possibilities, the initial plan has been altered some. That’s why two of the three finalists are offensive coordinators in Linehan and Cameron.

It appears that, should the Rams hire an offensive coordinator, they would move quickly to secure one of the many experienced and talented defensive minds available. Names mentioned in that group include former coordinators Dom Capers, Jim Bates and Dick Jauron as well as rising star and Defensive line/Assistant head coach Rod Marinelli of Tampa Bay.

It is believed that a big reason for Linehan’s being the frontrunner was an impressive first interview in which he came prepared with information and ideas for the whole of the franchise as opposed to just the offense.

Rivera’s interview will likely take place later this week as well. He is thought of as a hard-nosed, personable coach that would give the Rams a fiery leader.

As it stands, all three candidates still remain viable options and the search probably won’t last much longer. Barring some unforeseen circumstances or a surprise candidate emerging, the next coach of the Rams will be one of those three and ideally, it will happen by the end of this week.