Devaney: Haslett still in the mix for St. Louis Rams coach
Before he left for Los Angeles and three days of finalist interviews in the Rams’ coaching search, general manager Billy Devaney called a meeting of all employees at Rams Park on Monday morning. The purpose? To give a brief update on the search process.
Devaney didn’t tip his hand, but he did say that Jim Haslett remains a serious candidate for the job.
There’s no doubt that Haslett is the overwhelming choice for the team’s next head coach among Rams Park employees, be they in marketing, sales, community relations, coaching, or wherever.
Unfortunately for Haslett, those people don’t get a vote.
But one thing Haslett did during his 12 weeks as head coach is unify the building _ something that hasn’t been the case for years around here. Easier said than done considering the infighting and office politics that frequently have plagued Rams Park.
Some might call that “campaigning.” Some might call it leadership.
Give me a break! Haslett and his staff should be toast! Dear Lord, the man did NOTHING as defensive coordnator and is on a 10 GAME LOSING STREAK as Head Coach! Wake up, Devaney, no way this guy comes back. Why do people at Rams Park like him? Oh, I forgot. He had flowers planted!!!!
Get lost Haslett!
Chris he had every chance in N.O. and here. I am sorry but I am not going to accept a blame of a hurricane for for a coaching choice. Did the earthquake in China cause his defense to crumble also? At best Haz is a position coach. Position you ask? Need to look at the Karma Sutra for details.
I cant wait for the next couple of seasons when one of these no names is the HC and everyone is thinking about what happen with Scott Linehan. Have fun hiring another inexperienced HC and see what happens. Rex can bring Ed Reed and Ray Lewis with him. Whatever one of these guys gets hired, you will be calling for him to be fired in 2years max. These guys might be able to run a defense, but not a whole orginazation. Why do you think all the other teams they have interviewed with have passed them up. They are not ready. Good luck with your young inexperienced HC. The rams will be at best a 6-10 team.
So the local Rams employees want Haslet because they get along with him so well. That is not a criteria any other NFL team uses to hire a coach. It is obvious that he was a failure in 3 years as Defensive Coordinator and 12 games as head coach. He certainly did not have talent but that is a big part of his job. Determine where the problems are and address them in the draft and free agency. Haslet is responsible for the team that was fielded and the way it was coached. Its been a disgrace and he needs to go. If the Rams take the easy route and keep him as the coach, I’ll be mailing my PSLs back to the Rams.
I never liked the Haslett hire to coordinator to beging with and now even less. If people want to count how he got the team up for their two wins, look at the games again. Vs the Skins, it was a couple of lucky turnovers plus Portis was hurt so no running game. Vs Da ‘Boys it was a shaky QB, again a weakened running game and turnovers and the Cowboys took the game lightly. Hiring Haslett means a long time before the Rams are good again. I was very patient through the 1970’s with close but no championships and though the 1980’s with talent but no results (Dickerson, etc) and even the 1990’s: the decade from hell as far as Ram fans are concerned (Same old sorry Rams, remember that???). The brief GSOT was awesome but way too brief and now we’re back to Rams mismanagement. Please no. Shaw leaving is a start but it’s all on you Devaney. Start from scratch with a new face please.
Hey Brian;
Didn’t the Ravens pass on Ryan as a head coach and got Harbaugh instead? hummm…..
I agree with Dick Pederson.
People forget that a contributing factor to Linehans demise was the fact that Haslett was running a defense that was ranked in the bottom 3.
The team needs a complete fresh start.
http://goallineblitz.com/game/signup.pl?ref=17764271
I don’t see Haslett unless it’s a last resort. First, Spagnuolo and Ryan would both have to decline the position. After that, Haslett would be up against Garrett and Frazier, and Ram’s management would be hard pressed not to do an affirmative action hire by giving it to Frazier. In other words, Haslett is at least a fourth choice.
I hope the Rams pick Haslett. They played close those last 4 games, and I remember him with New Orleans, he was someone we didn’t want to go up against. He needs his schemes, and it does say a lot about how he changed the culture. Give him a year to make the changes he needs to make, and I think he would turn this franchise around. If I’m wrong you have Holmgren, Shanahan, and several others to name a few available next year. If you pick one of the assistants, you will have to give them 3 years (like Linehan) before you can make a change. I don’t think this franchise can afford another bad hire. Haslett might not sell tickets, but I think everyone can see who is close to the situation - wants. I will go no matter what, because I am a football fan - and I have always supported my team. Hopefully Billy Devaney has the guts to do what is right for this franchise and do what is right and ignore some of the talk show hosts who are just trying to get radio ratings by knocking him.
Why was Haslett not called for interviews with any other teams?