Rams Settle On Vermeil In A Surprise
Dick Vermeil, who stopped coaching 15 years ago because of “burnout,” is returning as coach of the St. Louis Rams.
The surprise selection was confirmed by Rams president John Shaw on Monday following several broadcast reports that Vermeil would be hired. The official announcement will come at a news conference today.
“I’m quite pleased with the candidate,” Shaw said. “He’s an excellent coach, high energy, smart.”
Vermeil, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to the 1981 Super Bowl, will be given total control of the team. Shaw said he wasn’t concerned about Vermeil’s lengthy absence from the game.
“Not in the least,” Shaw said. “I have every belief in the world that he has as much energy as anybody we interviewed and he is a much better leader than, I think, all of the other candidates.”
Contacted by CNN-SI, Vermeil said, “I feel like I’ve woken up in a dream.”
CNN-SI reported that Vermeil got a five-year, $7.5 million contract.
Vermeil was never on the Rams’ public list of candidates to replace Rich Brooks, who was fired following a 6-10 season. Among those interviewed by the Rams were Jim Mora, Bobby Ross, Kevin Gilbride, Pete Carroll and Emmitt Thomas.
“I guess he’s one of those coaches who were kind of like under the cover,” Rams linebacker Robert Jones said of Vermeil. “All of a sudden, bam.”
Minority owner Stan Kroenke said Vermeil was never on the public list because the Rams didn’t think they had a chance to hire him. Shaw has offered Vermeil the job every time it’s come open this decade and he was the first man contacted this time, too.
“He’s outstanding,” Kroenke said. “Every time I would talk to John and we would talk about candidates, he was at the head of the list.”
Vermeil, who became a college football commentator for ABC after leaving the NFL, compiled a 57-51 record with the Eagles from 1976-82. He led the team to the playoffs four consecutive years from 1978-81, including the Super Bowl season that ended with a 27-10 loss to the Oakland Raiders.
Earlier Monday, Mora appeared to be the front-runner for the Rams job. The former New Orleans Saints coach had a 3-hour interview in St. Louis on Friday.
Falcons name Reeves
Having made the playoffs only five times in their 31 years, the Atlanta Falcons turned to Dan Reeves, the NFL’s winningest active coach.
Reeves, who was fired by the New York Giants after the season, signed a five-year deal as coach and head of football operations. He succeeds June Jones and will be introduced at a news conference today.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said Reeves’ contract is worth $7.5 million to $8 million - almost double what any previous Falcons coach has earned.
Moeller joins Lions staff
Gary Moeller, fired from the University of Michigan two years ago after his disorderly conduct arrest at a Southfield, Mich., restaurant, was named running backs coach for the Detroit Lions.
Moeller, who had been the tight ends coach for the Cincinnati Bengals the past two seasons, was hired by new Lions coach Bobby Ross, along with linebackers coach Joe Pascale and secondary coach Richard Selcer. Frank Falks, who was named running backs coach last week, was reassigned to coach tight ends.
Cavanaugh may move
The Chicago Bears could name San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Matt Cavanaugh their new offensive coordinator, according to a published report.
The Chicago Sun-Times said the only obstacle to the hiring is the possibility of the 49ers promoting Cavanaugh to offensive coordinator.