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Fisher fires 5 assistants, sets up interview with OC candidate
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_1282d86b-e876-5e7b-bbaf-cf02bcd28ea9.html
Jeff Fisher usually doesn’t rush into coaching staff decisions. He lets the dust settle on the season, steps back, and evaluates. Not this year.
The Rams coach hinted late last week about possible coaching staff changes following the 2015 season, and didn’t wait long to make changes.
The team announced Wednesday it will not renew the contracts of five assistant coaches: Assistant strength and conditioning coach Adam Bailey, assistant special teams coach Paul F. Boudreau, offensive assistant Jeff Garcia, wide receivers coach Ray Sherman and running backs coach Ben Sirmans.
Boudreau is the son of Rams veteran offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, who remains with the club.
“We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication each of our coaches have given to the organization,” Fisher said in a statement. “We wish them well in their future endeavors.”
In terms of sheer volume, it represents the most sweeping offseason changes for Fisher as Rams head coach. Paul F. Boudreau, Sherman, and Sirmans were part of Fisher’s original Rams staff in 2012, and Fisher has a reputation of being very loyal to his assistants — some would say too loyal.
Bailey actually predated Fisher’s arrival, working for Steve Spagnulo’s staff in 2011, and also on a volunteer basis in 2010.
Garcia, the former Pro Bowl quarterback, was hired this past offseason and helped Sherman with the wide receivers.
Easily the most tenured assistant among those not retained was Sherman, who began his coaching career in 1988 with the Houston Oilers. Over the years, he has worked with the likes of Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson as a receivers coach, and with Warren Moon as a quarterbacks coach.
Sherman, 64, also has had stints with three teams over the years as an offensive coordinator. He has known Fisher for years, having previously worked for Fisher’s Tennessee Titans in 2005-06 as wide receivers coach.
In a phone interview with the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday night, Sherman says he leaves the Rams with no hard feelings.
“I’ve been doing this a long time,” Sherman said. “I’ve coached a lot of great players. Coached some nice young talent there (with the Rams). Whoever gets them is gonna have a great group.
“The thing is, the way we were on offense this year, it’s the head coach’s job to fix it the best way he can. I understand. Jeff didn’t even have to say anything.
“I said, ‘Coach, I got it. Don’t worry about it.’”
The Rams finished 32nd in total offense, 32nd in passing offense, and 29th in points scored this season.
“I understand this business,” Sherman said. “I’ve been doing it a long time. Sometimes people have to move on and other people have to come in. I get it. I’m OK, and I just want to make that clear.’
“So I love him. Jeff is a great coach. He’s a great guy. There’s no bitter feelings. We’re still friends, and we always will be friends. I don’t want any bashing of him or his decision. We laughed, we hugged, and — shoot — we’re good.”
Sherman said he already has received some phone calls about continuing in coaching.
“I’ll have some options,” he said. “I want to decide if I want to continue to coach, or if I’m gonna shut it down.”
With three of the departed coaches working with either wide receivers or running backs, it’s clear that Fisher wants to shore up the offense any way he can.
Another indication that that’s the case is the Rams’ interest in John DeFilippo as a potential offensive coordinator. The Post-Dispatch confirmed Tuesday night that the Rams had requested permission to interview DeFilippo, who was offensive coordinator this season in Cleveland for the now-fired Browns head coach Mike Pettine.
On Wednesday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that DeFilippo was scheduled to interview with the Rams this coming Monday.
At his season wrap-up press conference, Fisher praised the work of Rob Boras, who replaced the fired Frank Cignetti as offensive coordinator over the final four games of the Rams’ season. But Fisher also indicated he might look at other options for the position.
DeFilippo, 37, is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, who played quarterback at James Madison University. Beginning in 2005 as an offensive assistant with the New York Giants, he also has worked in Oakland (in two stints) and with the New York Jets — mainly as a quarterbacks coach — before coming to Cleveland in 2014.
In between that run of NFL jobs, DeFilippo spent the 2010 and ’11 seasons in the college ranks at San Jose State, where he coached quarterbacks and was offensive coordinator. His only NFL experience as a coordinator was this past season with the Browns.
But DeFilippo, known by the nickname “Flip,” received generally good reviews for his work with less-than-stellar talent in Cleveland. Slowed by injuries, veteran Josh McCown finished with the second-highest passer rating of his career (93.3) this season. And despite his off-field issues, Johnny Manziel’s play improved noticeably over his rookie season.
• By Jim Thomas
http://www.stltoday.com/sports/foot...cle_1282d86b-e876-5e7b-bbaf-cf02bcd28ea9.html
Jeff Fisher usually doesn’t rush into coaching staff decisions. He lets the dust settle on the season, steps back, and evaluates. Not this year.
The Rams coach hinted late last week about possible coaching staff changes following the 2015 season, and didn’t wait long to make changes.
The team announced Wednesday it will not renew the contracts of five assistant coaches: Assistant strength and conditioning coach Adam Bailey, assistant special teams coach Paul F. Boudreau, offensive assistant Jeff Garcia, wide receivers coach Ray Sherman and running backs coach Ben Sirmans.
Boudreau is the son of Rams veteran offensive line coach Paul Boudreau, who remains with the club.
“We appreciate all of the hard work and dedication each of our coaches have given to the organization,” Fisher said in a statement. “We wish them well in their future endeavors.”
In terms of sheer volume, it represents the most sweeping offseason changes for Fisher as Rams head coach. Paul F. Boudreau, Sherman, and Sirmans were part of Fisher’s original Rams staff in 2012, and Fisher has a reputation of being very loyal to his assistants — some would say too loyal.
Bailey actually predated Fisher’s arrival, working for Steve Spagnulo’s staff in 2011, and also on a volunteer basis in 2010.
Garcia, the former Pro Bowl quarterback, was hired this past offseason and helped Sherman with the wide receivers.
Easily the most tenured assistant among those not retained was Sherman, who began his coaching career in 1988 with the Houston Oilers. Over the years, he has worked with the likes of Jerry Rice, Terrell Owens, Donald Driver and Robert Ferguson as a receivers coach, and with Warren Moon as a quarterbacks coach.
Sherman, 64, also has had stints with three teams over the years as an offensive coordinator. He has known Fisher for years, having previously worked for Fisher’s Tennessee Titans in 2005-06 as wide receivers coach.
In a phone interview with the Post-Dispatch on Wednesday night, Sherman says he leaves the Rams with no hard feelings.
“I’ve been doing this a long time,” Sherman said. “I’ve coached a lot of great players. Coached some nice young talent there (with the Rams). Whoever gets them is gonna have a great group.
“The thing is, the way we were on offense this year, it’s the head coach’s job to fix it the best way he can. I understand. Jeff didn’t even have to say anything.
“I said, ‘Coach, I got it. Don’t worry about it.’”
The Rams finished 32nd in total offense, 32nd in passing offense, and 29th in points scored this season.
“I understand this business,” Sherman said. “I’ve been doing it a long time. Sometimes people have to move on and other people have to come in. I get it. I’m OK, and I just want to make that clear.’
“So I love him. Jeff is a great coach. He’s a great guy. There’s no bitter feelings. We’re still friends, and we always will be friends. I don’t want any bashing of him or his decision. We laughed, we hugged, and — shoot — we’re good.”
Sherman said he already has received some phone calls about continuing in coaching.
“I’ll have some options,” he said. “I want to decide if I want to continue to coach, or if I’m gonna shut it down.”
With three of the departed coaches working with either wide receivers or running backs, it’s clear that Fisher wants to shore up the offense any way he can.
Another indication that that’s the case is the Rams’ interest in John DeFilippo as a potential offensive coordinator. The Post-Dispatch confirmed Tuesday night that the Rams had requested permission to interview DeFilippo, who was offensive coordinator this season in Cleveland for the now-fired Browns head coach Mike Pettine.
On Wednesday, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported that DeFilippo was scheduled to interview with the Rams this coming Monday.
At his season wrap-up press conference, Fisher praised the work of Rob Boras, who replaced the fired Frank Cignetti as offensive coordinator over the final four games of the Rams’ season. But Fisher also indicated he might look at other options for the position.
DeFilippo, 37, is a native of Youngstown, Ohio, who played quarterback at James Madison University. Beginning in 2005 as an offensive assistant with the New York Giants, he also has worked in Oakland (in two stints) and with the New York Jets — mainly as a quarterbacks coach — before coming to Cleveland in 2014.
In between that run of NFL jobs, DeFilippo spent the 2010 and ’11 seasons in the college ranks at San Jose State, where he coached quarterbacks and was offensive coordinator. His only NFL experience as a coordinator was this past season with the Browns.
But DeFilippo, known by the nickname “Flip,” received generally good reviews for his work with less-than-stellar talent in Cleveland. Slowed by injuries, veteran Josh McCown finished with the second-highest passer rating of his career (93.3) this season. And despite his off-field issues, Johnny Manziel’s play improved noticeably over his rookie season.
