Steve Spagnuolo To Become New Orleans Saints' New Defensive Coordinator, According To Report

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer is reporting that former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo is joining the New Orleans Saints as their new defensive coordinator.

Steve Spagnuolo has agreed to join the New Orleans Saints as new defensive coordinator

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) January 19, 2012

Spagnuolo would replace Gregg Williams, who left the New Orleans to become the defensive coordinator for Jeff Fisher in St. Louis.

More: Jeff Fisher Plans To Have Rams OC Hired By Sunday

Spagnuolo has a long history of coaching on the defensive side, and he spent two years as the defensive coordinator for the New York Giants prior to his head coaching stint in St. Louis.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

St. Louis Rams Coaching Search: Rob Chudzinksi and Dennis Allen Interview On Thursday

The St. Louis Rams have focused on attracting Jeff Fisher as their next head coach, but they are still pursuing other candidates as Fisher decides between the Miami Dolphins and the Rams. On Thursday, the team will interview two possible replacements for Steve Spagnuolo: Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen.

Chudzinski helped construct a solid Panthers offense around rookie quarterback Cam Newton that finished No.3 in rushing yards, No. 13 in passing yards, No. 7 in the NFL in total yards and set a franchise record for most yardage in a single season. Chudzinski interviewed for the head coaching position with the Jacksonville Jaguars but lost out to Mike Mularky.

Allen has shaped a strong Broncos defensive unit and helped rookie Von Miller to thrive in his first NFL season. Allen is currently preparing for Denver's playoff game against the New England Patriots, but says the opportunity will not distract him from the immediate task at hand:

"Obviously, I'm thrilled about it, but really, at the end of the day my focus is to try to win a game against the New England Patriots, and that's the only thing that I'm concerned with right now. At the end of the day, we're focused on New England, and we're trying to win this game, and whatever happens after that, that's in somebody else's hands."

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Jeff Fisher Could Accept Dolphins' Head Coaching Job On Wednesday, According To Report

Former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher is nearing a decision on what his coaching future will entail, and it appears that he'll be choosing the Miami Dolphins, according to Michael Lombardi of NFL.com. Fisher had previously limited his options down to just the Dolphins and the St. Louis Rams, but it appears that he'll be choosing to join the former.

With Fisher refusing to commit until now, the Rams have continued to seek out possible alternatives should Fisher choose to go to Miami. With that possibility now looking more like a reality, St. Louis will have to look in a different direction as it tries to find a new head coach.

One of Lombardi's sources reiterated one of Fisher's possible concerns with St. Louis, and that's the team's possible relocation to Los Angeles. Lombardi adds that Fisher could announce his decision as soon as Wednesday, so we could have an official announcement on the matter pretty soon.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

St. Louis Rams Receive Permission To Interview New Orleans' Aaron Kromer

The St. Louis Rams have asked for and received permission to interview New Orleans Saints assistant coach Aaron Kromer for their head coaching opening, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Glazer adds that the Rams may interview Kromer in San Francisco while the Saints prepare to play against the 49ers in the postseason this weekend.

Kromer has been with New Orleans since 2008, spending the 2011 season as the Saints' offensive line coach and running game coordinator. He's been a coach for over 20 years, with experience in both college and professional football. Before coaching with New Orleans, Kromer filled a similar role in coaching the offensive line for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

At this point, the Rams' coaching search has become a tad chaotic. There are still rumblings that former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher could accept the position, but St. Louis continues to look at other options so clearly nothing is close to being done yet.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Ryan Grigson, Rams GM Candidate, Accepts Position With Colts

On Monday, Philadelphia Eagles director of player personnel Ryan Grigson interviewed for the St. Louis Rams' open general manager position. On Wednesday morning, he accepted the same job with the Indianapolis Colts after interviewing in Indy on Tuesday for the second time. Grigson had spent a total of nine years with the Eagles, with the last two as director of player personnel and the previous four as director of college scouting.

St. Louis Rams Receive Permission To Interview Rob Chudzinski

Though conventional wisdom still holds that the St. Louis Rams will be the choice of top target Jeff Fisher, the team must still cover its bases in case that plan falls through. With that in mind, the Rams received permission early Monday to interview Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski for its head coaching position.

Rams General Manager Search: Lake Dawson And Les Snead Interview With St. Louis On Tuesday

The St. Louis Rams are talking with a pair of general manager candidates on Tuesday, according to the Post-Dispatch. Titans VP of football operations, Lake Dawson, reportedly met with the Rams for four hours Tuesday afternoon.

Tennessee vice president of football operations Lake Dawson arrived shortly after 11 a.m. at Rams Park to interview for the general manager's job with Rams executive vice president of football operations Kevin Demoff.

Dawson has been with the Titans since 2007, though 2011 was his first as VP of football operations. Snead has been with Atlanta for 13 years.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Jay Gruden Not Interested In Rams Head Coaching Position

The St. Louis Rams are looking for back up plans if they cannot land Jeff Fisher as their head coach and one of the names that has surfaced is current Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden.

Late to put this up, but Rams have asked for permission to interview Bengals OC Jay Gruden.

— Bernie Miklasz (@miklasz) January 10, 2012

Gruden is in his first season as an NFL offensive coordinator after having previously working as a head coach in both the Arena Football League and United Football League. Gruden was able to get a lot out of rookie quarterback Andy Dalton, enough so to help the Bengals make the playoffs as a Wild Card team in the AFC. Unfortunately for the Rams, Gruden does not have interest at taking a head coaching position at this time, according to a report by Jason La Canfora of NFL Network.

Jay Gruden will not be interviewing for head coaching jobs. Very happy in Cincy. Rams and Jags wanted to talk him. #insideslant

— Jason La Canfora (@JasonLaCanfora) January 10, 2012

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Jeff Fisher Leaves St. Louis Rams, Miami Dolphins Hanging; High-Five Hands Nearly Asleep

It's increasingly difficult to follow the St. Louis Rams' extended courtship with Jeff Fisher, which the 24-hour news cycle has successfully distorted to near-irrelevance. Late last week Fisher seemed nearly certain to be the new head coach of the Rams; now, as Ryan Van Bibber aggregates, the Miami Dolphins look to be all the way back into this—despite the continued impression of the NFL at large that the former Tennessee Titans coach will make his decision this very week.

For another few days, then, Dolphins and Rams fans will have to wait to figure out what their foundering franchises will look like in 2012.

In the Rams' favor: they have the second overall pick in the draft and their franchise quarterback and a veteran running back that Jeff Fisher could run all the way into the ground. In the Dolphins' favor: They play in Miami, they won six games in 2011, and they got nice seasons from Matt Moore and Reggie Bush, even if those guys aren't quite Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson.

Rams General Manager Search: Ryan Grigson Interviewing With St. Louis On Monday, According To Report

Grigson has been with the Eagles organization since 2004; he got his start in scouting before being promoted to director of player personnel in 2010.

His first job in the NFL was as a scout with the St. Louis Rams; he was a national scout and area scout for the team from 1999 to 2003, which coincides with a successful period in Rams history.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Jeff Fisher Pegs St. Louis Rams' Los Angeles Problem As Coaching Decision Nears

The St. Louis Rams look closer than ever to selecting Jeff Fisher as their next head coach, but the former Houston Oilers coach might have done more to ingratiate Rams fans than his coaching record ever could when Jim Thomas of the Post-Dispatch tweeted about his concerns over the Rams' potential move back to Los Angeles. Finally, a head coach who is as terrified of the Rams' medium-term future in St. Louis as St. Louisans are!

Unfortunately for Fisher and Rams fans, the coaching job doesn't come with the ability to renegotiate the Rams' lease at the Edward Jones Dome, or roll back the decades of absurd public-funding largesse that have cost the EJD nearly all of its value as a professional football stadium in less than 20 years. The St. Louis Rams might or might not have a future in Missouri, no matter who signs on to replace Steve Spagnuolo as head coach. But it's looking increasingly unlikely that these concerns, for all their obvious legitimacy, will keep Fisher from joining the Los Angeles Titans in 2012.

Or maybe I've already said too much?

St. Louis Rams To Hire Jeff Fisher As Head Coach, According To Report

The St. Louis Rams will hire former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher to be the team's next head coach, according to Michael Hiestand of USA Today. Referencing a report from Jay Glazer of FOX Sports, the Rams will apparently announce Fisher's hiring some time over the next 24 to 48 hours.

Fisher, 53, spent 17 years as the head coach of the Tennessee Titans before agreeing to leave the team in January of 2011. His teams posted a combined record of 142-120 over those 17 seasons, including six postseason appearances and one Super Bowl appearance.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Jeff Fisher Update: Possible Move To LA Is Only Hangup In Deal Between Fisher, St. Louis Rams

It appears that the only possible hangup between the St. Louis Rams hiring Jeff Fisher to be their new head coach is the team's possible move to Los Angeles in the near future, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Rams have long been rumored as a potential option for the city of Los Angeles, which has gone years without an NFL team despite being one of the largest markets in the United States.

Fisher, the former longtime head coach with the Tennessee Titans, parted ways with his former team in January of 2011. He spent 17 seasons at the helm in Tennessee, guiding the Titans to a 142-120 overall record, six postseason appearances and one Super Bowl appearance. He only interviewed with two teams this winter, the Rams and the Miami Dolphins, even though there are numerous other coaching vacancies in the league at the moment.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Jeff Fisher Update: Miami Dolphins Moving On, According To Report

Jeff Fisher Not Necessarily Leaning Towards Rams, Says Peter King

Saints DC Gregg Williams May Follow Jeff Fisher, According To Report

Jeff Fisher Update: Fisher To Meet With QB Sam Bradford, According To Report

As both the St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins wait for a decision from ex-Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, it appears as if Fisher may be doing some interviewing of his own. Tony Softli, of ESPN 101 in St. Louis, reported Sunday morning that Fisher is slated to meet with Rams QB Sam Bradford on Sunday afternoon.

Rams Coaching Search: A Look At What Jeff Fisher Would Bring To The St. Louis Rams

Former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher is back in the mix to become an NFL head coach for the 2012-13 NFL season, and has narrowed his list down to two teams: the St. Louis Rams and Miami Dolphins. The most recent reports suggest that Fisher is "on the verge" of signing on with the Rams, but it is still possibly the Dolphins present an offer Fisher cannot refuse in the next few days. Even so, it appears the Rams have made Fisher their top target and are the current front-runners for his services. Therefore, the staff at Turf Show Times, SB Nation's St. Louis Rams blog, decided to take a closer look at what Jeff Fisher would bring to the franchise. Here is a bit of that analysis:

1. Experience

This has to be number one. As stated above, the last two Rams head coaches were rookies, and look how that panned out. Fisher has 17 years head coaching experience. Yes, 17 years.

Even though one would argue his overall win % isn't that impressive (.542) you have to keep in mind that in his first 3 seasons when the Titans were the Houston Oilers, it has been said that they were in shambles during the transition.. they didn't have a decent practice facility (played on mud basically) and were holding meetings in trailers.

3. Pedigree

Even though I hate this word because it sounds like i'm talking about dog food, I guess it's the only one I can think of. Fisher has some serious experience working under some of the top head coaches in NFL history.

In 1985 he was an assistant defensive coach to one Buddy Ryan in Chicago. "Da... Bears!". When Ryan left the Bears to coach the Eagles after winning the Superbowl, Fisher went with him and became the Eagles defensive backs coach.

In 1988 Fisher was promoted to defensive coordinator at the young age of 30. In 1989 the Eagles defense led the NFL in interceptions (30) and sacks (62). In 1991 he worked under John Robinson as the Rams defensive coordinator, and the next two seasons he worked as defensive backs coach for the Niners.

Uhhh Bill Walsh / George Seifert anyone?

For the complete list and an in-depth breakdown on what adding the veteran head coach would mean for the franchise, be sure to check out the rest of the article on Turf Show Times.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

2012 NFL Playoffs: Josh McDaniels Reportedly Leaving Rams To Join New England Patriots Staff For Playoffs And OC Position Next Season

The St. Louis Rams front office and head coaching position has been in a state of flux ever since the Rams fired GM Tim Devaney and head coach Steve Spagnuolo, and now offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is leaving the team for greener pastures and will join the New England Patriots staff for the 2012 NFL Playoffs, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The Rams gave McDaniels permission to seek other opportunities earlier in the week, and after Penn State University hired former Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien as their head coach on Friday, the links between McDaniels and the Patriots started to emerge. Here is Schefter's tweet:

Patriots are expected to hire Josh McDaniels as an offensive assistant: will coach in playoffs. Becomes OC in 2012. Mo… say.ly/kCn1etF

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2012

The reported move makes sense, considering McDaniels is intimately familiar with the spread offensive scheme in New England and has worked closely with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick in the past. Now he gets the opportunity to leave a last place team and jump on board the staff of a first place team looking to make a Super Bowl run, and then gets to take over the reigns on offense in the 2012-13 season. It's a sweet deal for the embattled Rams offensive coordinator, but the move could have lingering effects on the team he leaves behind in St. Louis.

Brandon Lloyd, an impending unrestricted free agent and leading wide receiver on the Rams in the past season, has made it known that his loyalty lies with McDaniels first and the Rams second. Taking away Sam Bradford's top target and the only proven wide receiver on the roster may force the Rams' hand in the 2012 NFL Draft, because it is hard to ask Bradford to be a difference maker when he isn't surrounded by capable receivers and talented play-makers.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

For more Patriots coverage, visit Pats Pulpit.

Sam Bradford Loves Josh McDaniels's Offense, St. Louis Rams Pull Nervously At Collar

Jeff Fisher "On The Verge" Of Accepting Rams' Offer, According To Report

According to Howard Balzer of 101ESPN.com, free agent head coach Jeff Fisher is "on the verge" of becoming the next head coach of the St. Louis Rams. Fisher has interviewed already with the Miami Dolphins, and is widely believed to be deciding between the Rams and Dolphins, which is a decision that come sometime next week, if not earlier.

Rams General Manager Search: Cardinal's Steve Keim Targeted; Baltimore's Eric DeCosta Staying Put

The search for the new St. Louis Rams General Manager continued Friday, as the Rams front office brass has asked permission to speak with Arizona Cardinals Director of Personnel, Steve Keim. According to Mike Jurecki, a talk show host and report for Phoenix's XTRA 910, Keim has been with the Cardinals for 13 years.

Here's what SB Nation Arizona has to say about Keim:

"Keim is widely regarded as one of the best in the business," says Scott Coleman, "and it is not surprising to see the Rams show interest. Formerly the Cardinals scout in the east, Keim was promoted to the title of Director, College Scouting in June, 2006 and was promoted again to his current title of Director, Player Personnel in May, 2008. In his current role, Keim coordinates the activities of both the college and pro scouting departments."

Meanwhile, a former GM target for the Rams, Baltimore Raven's play of personal director, Eric DeCosta has decided to stay put.

"Since this franchise started in 1996, we've established a strong history of retaining our most important executives, players, coaches and personnel experts," Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome said in a statement.

"Eric, who has had opportunities to interview with other teams recently and over the years, is another one we want to keep and will keep. He has chosen to stay with the Ravens, and we're excited that he will. He is a most valuable asset and will continue to help us win championships."

SI.com's Peter King believes it was a smart move by DeCosta, who's expected to take over the operations of the Raven's once Newsome retires.

"The grass isn't always greener on the other side," said King.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Rams Coaching Search: Jeff Fisher Will Decided St. Louis Or Miami By Next Week, According To Report

Former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher told ESPN.com's Adam Schefter Friday that he will take either the St. Louis Rams or Miami Dolphins head coach jobs and his decision will be made sometime next week. The report comes just a day after Fisher, who's the Rams' top target, met with the front office brass on Thursday. Fisher reportedly meet with the Miami on Tuesday.

The search for the Rams General Manager continues

St. Louis also is interested in Miami's interim head coach Todd Bowles, however, Fisher is the Rams top target. Before being let go at the end of last season, Fisher had been the head coach for the Houston Oilers/Titans organization for 16 seasons.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Josh McDaniels Allowed By Rams To Pursue Other Jobs, According To Report

St. Louis Rams front office will not hold current Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels to his current contract and will allow him to leave if he'd like to, SI.com's Peter King reported Friday via Twitter. King's report came shortly after Bryan Burwell of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the New England Patriots reached out to the Rams to talk with McDaniels.

Latest news on the Rams search for a new head coach and General Manager.

McDaniels, who was allowed to keep his job after the firing of Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, served as the Patriots OC from 2006-08 and could replace current Patriots' OC, Bill O'Brien, who's in the process of becoming the new head coach of Penn State University.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Rams General Manager Search: Ryan Grigso Of Philadelphia Will Interview For St. Louis Job

In a search for a new head coach and General Manager the St. Louis Rams looking pretty much everywhere, and according to ESPN's Adam Schefter via Twitter the Rams are now asking permission to speak with Philadelphia Eagles director of player personnel Ryan Grigso.

CBSSports.com's NFL Draft Blog written by Rob Rang says this about Grigso, who used to work for the Rams:

"(Grigso) fits the mold Rams owner Stan Kroenke said he envisioned as a young, up-and-coming evaluator to pair with a veteran coach.

"His time with the Rams overlapped with Bears coach Lovie Smith and Grigson fondly recalled working to find the kind of defensive players Smith, then defensive coordinator for the Rams, was after -- guys who could run and guys who could create turnovers."

On Thursday, it was reported that the St. Louis brass also asked permission to speak with the Eric DeCosta, who's the director of player personnel of the Baltimore Ravens.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Rams Coaching Search: St. Louis Officials Met With Jeff Fisher On Thursday, According To Report

The St. Louis Rams are one of several franchises interested in former Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, and according to this Associated Press report, Rams officials met with Fisher in Denver on Thursday.

The team said Thursday that initial interviews are taking place in Denver, with owner Stan Kroenke an active participant. Kroenke's family also owns the Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche.

St. Louis COO Kevin Demoff -- whose father, Marvin, is Fisher's agent -- says that Kroenke will be a major figure in the coaching search and that the decision is ultimately up to him.

More: Decision Coming For Jeff Fisher

Whether or not Demoff's family connection with Fisher has any impact on the coach's decision remains to be seen. Fisher met with the Miami Dolphins earlier in the week.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Rams General Manager Search: Eric DeCosta Of Baltimore Is GM Target For St. Louis

The St. Louis Rams General Manger Search continued Wednesday, as the Rams front office brass asked permission to speak with Baltimore Raven's director of player personnel Eric DeCosta. According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, DeCosta is the second-hand man to Raven's GM Ozzie Newsome and is also being persuaded by the Indianapolis Colts, who fired their GM Bill Polian just a few days ago.

"DeCosta is an original member of the Ravens organization," says Florio. "He served as director of college scouting before becoming director of player personnel in 2009. In DeCosta’s first draft as director of college scouting in 2003, the Ravens picked linebacker Terrell Suggs."

Currently, the Rams hold the No. 2 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and the search for the right GM is very important in the revival of a franchise that has picked in the top two in the two of the past three seasons.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Rams Coaching Search: Jeff Fisher, Rams Yet To Schedule Interview

Despite speculation that both the St. Louis Rams and Jeff Fisher have one another on top of their respective wish lists, the two sides have yet to schedule a date or time for an interview, according to Tony Softli of ESPN 101 in St. Louis.

Rams Coaching Search: St. Louis Has Interest In Todd Bowles, According To Report

As their search for a new head coach continues, the St. Louis Rams are reportedly interested in interviewing Miami Dolphins interim head coach Todd Bowles, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Rams express interest in interviewing Miami interim hc Todd Bowles for their head-coaching vacancy, according to league sources.

— Jim Thomas (@jthom1) January 4, 2012

Bowles took over the Dolphins with three games left in the season after the team fired Tony Sporano, and he led the team to a 2-1 record, with victories over the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets.

Rams Coaching Search: Jeff Fisher Most Likely To Land In St. Louis, According To Report

Jeff Fisher is a hot name on the coaching carousel, and he has already had an interview with the Miami Dolphins.

But the NFL Network's Albert Breer believes that St. Louis is at the top of Fisher's list and the most likely destination for the free agent coach in 2012:

Atop [Fisher's] list of priorities is the presence of a franchise quarterback. And I'm told, despite the Rams' listless season of 2011, that's just how he sees Sam Bradford, a player Fisher interviewed and liked quite a bit at the 2010 combine.

That's why, connecting the dots, St. Louis is at the top of Fisher's list. That Fisher is represented by Marvin Demoff, who son Kevin is the Rams COO, only makes it more likely that he'll land in Missouri.

Breer also says that Fisher would love to coach in Chicago, though of course the Bears head coaching job will be occupied -- at minimum -- through the 2012 season.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Steve Spagnuolo Statement: Former St. Louis Rams Coach Believes 'A Solid Foundation Has Been Built'

Former St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo released a statement on Tuesday afternoon in which he expressed gratitude for his time with the organization and offered some words of encouragement for the future.

"I want to pass along deep gratitude toward every Rams employee for their ‘behind the scenes efforts and loyalty’ and for embracing Maria and I throughout our time here.

“I want to thank every Rams fan for their passionate support. I apologize for not bringing enough success for them to enjoy this past season. You deserve more!"

Spagnuolo was 10-38 in three seasons as St. Louis' head coach; the team fell from seven wins in 2010 to just two in 2011.

More: Jeff Fisher could be the next head coach in St. Louis.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

2012 NFL Coaching Carousel: Kansas City Chiefs Could Go After St. Louis Rams OC Josh McDaniels, According To Report

St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator survived the coaching purge conducted by the franchise following the end of a poor regular season, but his future still could lie elsewhere.

The NFL Network's Jason La Canfora believes the Chiefs would be interested in McDaniels if Romeo Crennel is promoted to head coach. He also suggests there is some potential for a return to New England for McDaniels:

The Kansas City Chiefs could pinpoint Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy as a possible coordinator/coach-in-waiting should they be unable to land Josh McDaniels from St. Louis, sources said. (According to league sources, the Rams would like to retain McDaniels as offensive coordinator to stay with Bradford.) McDaniels would be a candidate in Kansas City if Romeo Crennel is promoted as many expect, and New England coach Bill Belichick also would welcome him back if Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O'Brien departs for Penn State or the Kansas City opening himself.

Crennel has not been promoted just yet, and Bill O'Brien is still the Pats' OC, but this appears to be a situation worth keeping an eye on.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

St. Louis Rams Coaching Search: No Timetable Yet, Says Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff

The St. Louis Rams are in the market for a new head coach and general manager, and Chief Operating Officer Kevin Demoff addressed the issue with the media on Monday afternoon. Demoff says a timetable for filling either position has not yet been set, but the team is putting a list together. They've formed a search committee that includes Dick Vermeil and Marshall Faulk. The process should start picking up in the next day or two:

Vice President of Player Personnel Mike Williams is in charge of personnel decisions and scouting until a new GM is hired.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Rams Head Coach Search: St. Louis To Interview Jeff Fisher

The St. Louis Rams (2-14), fresh off their disappointing 2011 NFL Season, are reportedly interviewing long-time Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher. Peter King of the NBC Sports Network (formerly VERSUS) reported on Monday, January 2, that the Rams intend to interview Fisher sometime during the week.

Fisher has spent 20 years as an NFL coach, filling the role of head coach for 17 years with the Tennessee Titans franchise (formerly the Tennessee Oilers, formerly the Houston Oilers). The Rams officially fired their head coach Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney on Monday after the team underwent its fifth consecutive losing season.

The Rams have not been at or above .500 since 2006 under head coach Scott Linehan when the team was 8-8.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Steve Spagnuolo Fired: Only Three Coaches Left Standing From 2009 Class

Prior to the 2009 season, a whopping 11 new head coaches were hired by NFL teams. As of Jan. 2, 2012, only three of those 11 are still in place, with St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Raheem Morris the latest two to go. Two of the remaining three— Rex Ryan of the New York Jets and Jim Schwartz of the Detroit Lions— figure to be cemented in their positions for the time being, but they may be the only two left standing if the third, Jim Caldwell of the Indianapolis Colts, gets released this off season.

Here is the full list of coaching hires for the 2009 season as well as who, if anyone, each coach has been replaced by.

• Cleveland Browns: Eric Mangini to Pat Shurmur
• Denver Broncos: Josh McDaniels to John Fox
• Detroit Lions: Jim Schwartz
• Indianapolis Colts: Jim Caldwell
• Kansas City Chiefs: Todd Haley to unknwon
• New York Jets: Rex Ryan
• Oakland Raiders: Tom Cable to Hue Jackson
• San Francisco 49ers: Mike Singletary to Jim Harbaugh
• Seattle Seahawks: Jim Mora to Pete Carroll
• St. Louis Rams: Steve Spagnuolo to unknown
• Tampa Bay Bucs: Raheem Morris to unknown

Stay tuned to Turf Show Times, SB Nation's St. Louis Rams blog, for all the latest updates on the upcoming coaching search.

Steve Spagunolo Fired: Rams Owner Thanks Coach, GM In Statement

St. Louis Rams owner Stan Kroenke released a statement Monday morning, shortly after firing head coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Bill Devaney. In the statement, in which Kroenke refers to Devaney as "Billy," the Rams owner iterated that it was a tough, but necessary, decision.

Here is the full statement:

I would like to personally thank Steve and Billy for their dedication to the St. Louis Rams organization over the past several seasons. This was a difficult decision for many reasons. We have tremendous respect for Steve and Billy as people and football professionals.

No one individual is to blame for this disappointing season and we all must hold ourselves accountable. However, we believe it’s in the best interest of the St. Louis Rams to make theses changes as we continue our quest to build a team that consistently competes for playoffs and championships. We wish Steve, Billy and their families the very best in the future and thank them again for their commitment to our organization and the city of St. Louis.

Stay tuned to Turf Show Times, SB Nation's St. Louis Rams blog, for all the latest updates on the upcoming coaching search.

GM Bill Devaney Fired By Rams, According To Report

The St. Louis Rams have officially cleaned house. Less than an hour after firing head coach Steve Spagnuolo, the Rams informed general manager Bill Devaney that he was also being relieved of his duties with the team, according to Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Devaney was the Rams' general manager for four years, and he was with the organization as Executive Vice President of Player Personnel before that.

Coach Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney have been let go.

— St. Louis Rams (@STLouisRams) January 2, 2012

Steve Spagnuolo Fired By St. Louis Rams

The St. Louis Rams fired head coach Steve Spagnuolo early Monday morning, wasting little time getting to what has been considered inevitable for weeks. The firing was reported first on Monday by Fox's Jay Glazer and confirmed later by local sources. Despite a report late Sunday night that both Spagnuolo and GM Bill Devaney were going to be let go, there has been no official word yet on the fate of Devaney.

Steve Spagnuolo Update: Rams Set To Fire Both Spagnuolo And Devaney

After exceeding expectations during the 2010/2011 season, hopes were high for the St. Louis Rams entering this season. However, instead of seeing a significant improvement following the 7-9 campaign, the Rams seemed to regress in every way possible, finishing with a 2-14 record. Not surprisingly, according to Chris Mortensen of ESPN, both head coach Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney will not return next season:

@mortreport: Rams will fire coach Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney, per team source. #ESPN

The dismissal of Spagnuolo comes after three difficult years for the St. Louis Rams. Spagnuolo compiled a 10-38 record during his three seasons, with seven of those victories coming last season. The Rams faced significant injuries throughout the season, with offensive players like Sam Bradford, Steven Jackson, Rodger Saffold and Danny Amendola all missing significant time. On the defensive side of the ball, Ron Bartell, Jerome Murphy and Bradley Fletcher all were put on injured-reserve during the season.

Stay tuned to Turf Show Times, SB Nation's St. Louis Rams blog, for all the latest updates on the upcoming coaching search.

Black Monday: St. Louis Rams May Fire Steve Spagnuolo After Week 17

With the 2012 NFL Football Season drawing to a close, Don Banks from SI.com takes a look at the 2012 NFL coaching carousel. According to Banks, the St. Louis Rams may in fact not pursue former head coach Jon Gruden, contrary to various reports.

The Rams are currently 2-13 in the 2011 NFL Season, Spanguolo's third season with the Rams. The Rams have won a total of 10 games under his watch and again look poised for a No. 1 or No. 2 draft pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Banks names long-time Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher as a top candidate for the potentially open position:

For starters, Fisher, the onetime L.A. Rams defensive coordinator and USC defensive back, has been represented for years by veteran agent Marvin Demoff, the father of Rams football operations chief, Kevin Demoff.

Though the Spagnuolo firing is not yet certain, it would appear the Rams have a better chance to hire Fisher instead of both Gruden and Bill Cowher, who both appear partial to remaining in a television during the 2012 season.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

St. Louis Rams Coaching Rumors: Jeff Fisher A Serious Candidate If Steve Spagnuolo Fired

Jon Gruden Could Wind Up As The Next St. Louis Rams Head Coach, According To Report

With the St. Louis Rams sitting at 2-13 and lacking any sense of direction heading into Week 17 of the NFL season, the questions surrounding the future of Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo. Now it appears as if Jon Gruden could be in the mix for becoming the next head coach of the Rams. According to Brad Biggs of the National Football Post, Gruden would become the next head coach if Rams owner Stan Kroenke decided to fire current GM Bill Devaney and replace him with current Chargers GM A.J. Smith. If both are fired, as expected by many NFL experts, Smith is apparently interested in teaming up with Jon Gruden wherever he lands next.

As a defensive-minded coach, Spanuolo has done nothing to stabilize the performance of the defensive unit, perhaps outside of Chris Long's great season, so he hasn't given many good reasons to justify his return next year. Although the team has dealt with a rash of injuries, especially in the defensive secondary, GM Bill Devaney has also come under fire for leaving the team without the talent needed to compete. The Devaney-Spanuolo combo just hasn't worked well enough.

A.J. Smith has been under fire in San Diego for years, as his very talented teams have routinely underachieved. This season Philip Rivers seemed to take a step back, while the team was recently eliminated from an otherwise wide-open AFC West division title race. Despite the failings of Chargers teams over the few years, it is hard to deny the talent A.J. Smith has acquired and assembled out on the west coast.

As the Rams prepare for the 2012 NFL Draft with a premium pick, all that remains to be seen is whether team owner Stan Kroenke will make a fundamental change that has the potential to move the team in a new direction.

Stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis for more information, and for in-depth analysis on the St. Louis Rams be sure to visit Turf Show Times. Visit SB Nation NFL for more news and notes around the league.

Steve Spagnuolo Hot Seat: Would Rams Job Be Most Appealing On Market?

In his column today, Sports Illustrated's Peter King makes the argument that if the St. Louis Rams' head coaching job opens up this off season, and King expects that it will, it will be the most attractive job to potential candidates, even more so than the opening in Miami or one potentially in San Diego. King's reasoning is simple: the Rams have a young, franchise quarterback (or something close to it), prime position in this year's draft, and a massive amount of cap room heading into the next few offseasons.

It remains to be seen whether or not King's view is or will be shared across the league, but it is a compelling argument nonetheless, and he doesn't even take into account that the Rams play in arguably the worst, or at least the most volatile, division in football. But those factors that he outlines— Bradford, a high pick this year that could be potentially flipped to a quarterback needy team for a bundle of picks, and tons of cap room— will certainly be central to any pitch made by the Rams to whichever head coaching candidates they zero in on.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more in-depth coverage of the Rams, head over to Turf Show Times. And for more news and notes from around the league, check out SB Nation's NFL news hub.

The St. Louis Rams Will And Should Fire Steve Spagnuolo and Billy Devaney

Coach Steve Spagnuolo and GM Billy Devaney sealed their fate with another St. Louis Rams loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. The sooner they exit, the sooner STL can start work on saving their franchise.