The St. Louis Rams will fire both coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney, according to a team source.
Spagnuolo was just 10-38 in three seasons in St. Louis.
The Rams lost 34-27 to the rival 49ers on Sunday to finish the season 2-14, tied with the Indianapolis Colts for the worst record in the NFL.
The lowly mark was an even bigger embarrassment considering it followed a six-win improvement last season. Attendance at Sunday's regular-season finale was announced as 55,990, about 9,000 shy of capacity at the Edward Jones Dome, but the stadium appeared no better than half-full and drained quickly in the second half.
Spagnuolo still talked optimistically about offseason plans after Sunday's loss and never fretted that this could have been his final game.
"I don't go there. I think you know me well enough," Spagnuolo said. "In the middle of that game, in the fourth quarter as exciting as it was? Nah."
Can't say this is a surprise, but with so many other teams looking for new coaches this offseason, I wonder if the Rams can land a name coach, and/or GM. HOPEFULLY this doesn't mean they are thinking about hiring Josh McDaniels as head coach.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeCan't say this is a surprise, but with so many other teams looking for new coaches this offseason, I wonder if the Rams can land a name coach, and/or GM. HOPEFULLY this doesn't mean they are thinking about hiring Josh McDaniels as head coach.
Josh McDaniels is probably the BEST the Rams could get.
I mean, why on earth would anybody noteworthy want that job? Am I missing something obvious? Just curious.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeCan't say this is a surprise, but with so many other teams looking for new coaches this offseason, I wonder if the Rams can land a name coach, and/or GM. HOPEFULLY this doesn't mean they are thinking about hiring Josh McDaniels as head coach.
Josh McDaniels is probably the BEST the Rams could get.
I mean, why on earth would anybody noteworthy want that job? Am I missing something obvious? Just curious.
- StingArmy
#2 pick should be worth more on the trade market than in previous years due to the cost certainty of the rookie cap. Rams are scheduled to have the most cap room available in 2013. Bradford, should he be healthy, provides a team with a quarterback. Not much, but better than some other locations.
Originally posted by StaggerLeeCan't say this is a surprise, but with so many other teams looking for new coaches this offseason, I wonder if the Rams can land a name coach, and/or GM. HOPEFULLY this doesn't mean they are thinking about hiring Josh McDaniels as head coach.
Josh McDaniels is probably the BEST the Rams could get.
I mean, why on earth would anybody noteworthy want that job? Am I missing something obvious? Just curious.
- StingArmy
#2 pick should be worth more on the trade market than in previous years due to the cost certainty of the rookie cap. Rams are scheduled to have the most cap room available in 2013. Bradford, should he be healthy, provides a team with a quarterback. Not much, but better than some other locations.
What Sox said. There's a ridiculous amount of upside here, and a fan base that, quite honestly, is so generally apathetic and unassuming that an immediate turnaround won't be expected or necessary (you just can't fall five games further back in one year, even with injuries.) Folks were ECSTATIC with a 7-9 finish last year, mostly because it seemed just a few key components were necessary to have a relevant team again. Those parts just weren't installed. Give Bradford a real offensive line, a few targets, and let he and Jackson do their job and the team will be real decent, real fast and the new coach will get much love, at least until the team moves to LA.
Yeah, I don't think the Rams job is unattractive at all. Remember that a lot of folks (including myself) pegged St. Louis as NFC West champs before the season began, and they certainly have a lot more talent than your average 2-14 team....it's just that everything that could've possibly gone wrong this year did, including a ton of injuries.
With the right coach and GM in place, wouldn't shock me to see the Rams jump right up to 8-8 or better in 2012.
"It breaks your heart. It is designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything else begins again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops and leaves you to face the fall alone." --- Bart Giamatti, on baseball
So when the Dolphins fired Sparano, there was some talk that it was some spin by the GM to try to save his own job. And I can't blame him (though I would blame the owner stupid enough to fall for that).
That said, anyone have knowledge of the Spagnuolo / Devaney relationship, and why it didn't play out the same way?
Word around these parts is the owner just wanted to wipe the slate clean and start over. BUT, it's pretty shitty he couldn't be bothered to show up at the press conference to at least explain things.
The local ESPN station said he (Spagnuola) went throughout Rams Park and shook every single employee's hand and thanked them for helping the team, and supporting them. Today he released a statement:
St. Louis (KSDK) - Former St. Louis Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo released a statement Tuesday about his dismissal from the team.
"I want to first thank every player and coach for their work ethic, character and loyalty throughout our three years together. I know each one of us firmly believes a solid foundation has been built and although not all of us will be here to experience it, this foundation will propel the team to great success in the near future.
"I also want to thank Chip Rosenbloom, Lucia Rodriguez and Stan Kroenke for their decision to bring me here three years ago. I truly appreciate the opportunity they gave me.
"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!
"It has been a privilege and an honor to represent this franchise as its head coach and I wish nothing but success for the organization going forward. I will always pull for the Rams. Maria and I feel blessed to have been a part of this city and we'll continue to have caring hearts for the people of St. Louis. God Bless."