Kaiser Toro
09-29-2008, 08:06 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3615358
St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan has been fired, two team sources said Monday morning.
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, a former head coach of the New Orleans Saints, was expected to be named interim coach, but details had not been finalized.
An official statement from the team was expected for around 9:30 a.m. ET.
Linehan asked for and received permission to address the team today when it reports for practice, the sources said.
The Rams dropped to 0-4 on Sunday with a 31-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills (4-0).
Linehan, 11-25 in his third season, last week was put on notice to make immediate improvements by owner Chip Rosenbloom.
After three blowout losses to open the season, Linehan benched quarterback Marc Bulger in favor of 38-year-old Trent Green. Linehan had six new starters in all, four on defense.
Rams running back Steven Jackson, who had criticized Linehan's decision to bench Bulger during his weekly radio show, had 110 yards on 24 carries and five catches for 78 yards.
Linehan had said he would meet with Jackson to discuss the radio-show comments before Sunday's game.
"I haven't talked to him about it but I will," Linehan said Friday. "No comment on it. Again, we're in this together and we're trying to find solutions to what has not been a good start to the season with our record.
"To sit here and not make some decisions, which are hard decisions for a head coach, I would not be doing my job. I will take at some point soon time to talk to Steven about it.."
In addition to pulling Bulger from the lineup, Linehan also released Fakhir Brown, a starting cornerback the past two seasons and a favorite of Haslett.
St. Louis Rams coach Scott Linehan has been fired, two team sources said Monday morning.
Defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, a former head coach of the New Orleans Saints, was expected to be named interim coach, but details had not been finalized.
An official statement from the team was expected for around 9:30 a.m. ET.
Linehan asked for and received permission to address the team today when it reports for practice, the sources said.
The Rams dropped to 0-4 on Sunday with a 31-14 loss to the Buffalo Bills (4-0).
Linehan, 11-25 in his third season, last week was put on notice to make immediate improvements by owner Chip Rosenbloom.
After three blowout losses to open the season, Linehan benched quarterback Marc Bulger in favor of 38-year-old Trent Green. Linehan had six new starters in all, four on defense.
Rams running back Steven Jackson, who had criticized Linehan's decision to bench Bulger during his weekly radio show, had 110 yards on 24 carries and five catches for 78 yards.
Linehan had said he would meet with Jackson to discuss the radio-show comments before Sunday's game.
"I haven't talked to him about it but I will," Linehan said Friday. "No comment on it. Again, we're in this together and we're trying to find solutions to what has not been a good start to the season with our record.
"To sit here and not make some decisions, which are hard decisions for a head coach, I would not be doing my job. I will take at some point soon time to talk to Steven about it.."
In addition to pulling Bulger from the lineup, Linehan also released Fakhir Brown, a starting cornerback the past two seasons and a favorite of Haslett.