Former Rams OC Ernie Zampese dies at age 86

[BonifayRam]

Former Rams OC Ernie Zampese dies at age 86​

Former Rams OC Ernie Zampese dies at age 86

Former Rams offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese died at the age of 86

theramswire.usatoday.com

Former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese has died at the age of 86. Zampese spent seven years with the Rams from 1987-1993, all as their offensive coordinator.

In total, Zampese worked in the NFL for 24 years, including as the offensive coordinator for the Chargers, Cowboys and Patriots. He won Super Bowl XXX with the Cowboys.

While with the Rams, Zampese’s offenses ranked in the top 10 in total yards all seven years, including three seasons with a top-five offense.

He was recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year, being given an Award of Excellence, which was accepted on his behalf by his son, Ken Zampese, who’s the Washington Commodes QBs coach.

View: https://twitter.com/ProFootballHOF/status/1564311530778361858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1564311530778361858%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Ftheramswire.usatoday.com%2F2022%2F08%2F29%2Frams-ernie-zampese-death-age-86-coordinator%2F

 

[den-the-coach]

Ernie Zampese was an excellent Offensive Coordinator plus was on the short list when the Rams moved to St. Louis in 1995 to be their Head Coach. Zampese later removed his name from consideration and most felt that it would be difficult for Zampese to be a Head Coach because he was a chain smoker (during football games) and that's why he preferred to be up in the booth instead of on the field where now smoking was prohibited.

I loved that John Robinson realized he needed someone like Ernie Zampese to take the Rams to the next level and hired him accordingly. Stayed on in Chuck Knox's first year, but Zampese understood when to make his move and made the right one leaving the conservative Knox for the Dallas Cowboys.

RIP Coach Zampese, you were innovative and far ahead of your time and I thank you for making my Los Angeles Rams viable from an offensive standpoint.

 

[thirteen28]

RIP Ernie. You made the Rams O very exciting in the late 80's. Although I love McVay's WCO, I can also say long live the Coryell offense of which Ernie was a disciple.

 

[OldSchool]

RIP Legend

 

[Allen2McVay]

Did a terrific job with the Rams' passing game and Everett, Ellard and Anderson ... especially in 1988 and 1989.

 

[Ram65]

RIP Ernie. Yes, those 88 and 89 Rams offenses were fun to watch.

 

[Merlin]

RIP Ernie.

 

[Faceplant]

RIP Ernie. He brought some exciting football to LA. We went from a ground and pound team to Coryell north during those years.

 

[SWAdude]

Ernie Zampese brought some fun football for our Rams.

Thanks for the great times Coach.

 

[XXXIVwin]

I kinda forgot that the Rams were always a top 10 offense under Zampese, even from 1990 to 1993. Don't really remember why the Rams were so bad in the early '90s... they had a lot of talent.

Below is the highlight reel from the 1992 season, entitled "The best is yet to come." Welp.


View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YexqFaB8dpc

 

[den-the-coach]

I kinda forgot that the Rams were always a top 10 offense under Zampese, even from 1990 to 1993. Don't really remember why the Rams were so bad in the early '90s... they had a lot of talent.

Below is the highlight reel from the 1992 season, entitled "The best is yet to come." Welp.

Chuck Knox took over in 1992 and Zampese was his OC in 92&93 and then Zampese left for Dallas in 1994, which was Chuck Knox's last season and the Rams OC was Chick Harris.

Zampese left at the right time because 94 was Knox's last year as well as the Rams last year in Los Angeles. Many feel that Georgia was trying to lose, however, Chuck Knox held the title of "President of Football Operations." Knox had total autonomy, but the team went 6-10 in 92, 5-11 in 93 & 4-12 in 1994.

 

[Dodgersrf]

Zampese has quite a few branches on his coaching tree.

An NFL legend.

 

[Tano]

Chuck Knox took over in 1992 and Zampese was his OC in 92&93 and then Zampese left for Dallas in 1994, which was Chuck Knox's last season and the Rams OC was Chick Harris.

Zampese left at the right time because 94 was Knox's last year as well as the Rams last year in Los Angeles. Many feel that Georgia was trying to lose, however, Chuck Knox held the title of "President of Football Operations." Knox had total autonomy, but the team went 6-10 in 92, 5-11 in 93 & 4-12 in 1994.

The 90s until 99 was such a horrid decade.

However, 99 made up for it.

That was such a fun year.

 

[fearsomefour]

Legend for sure.
His time with Rams was a good one.
His battles vs the Whiners were always good.