As other teams land coaches, Rams' top choices remain availableBy RICH HAMMOND / STAFF WRITER
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The dominos have started to topple, as NFL teams fill their openings for head coaches, and thus far things have fallen quite nicely for the Rams.
The Rams have yet to make a hire, although on Tuesday they were expected to interview Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay again, this time in Southern California. Moreover, the candidates presumed to be most attractive to the Rams all remain available.
Jacksonville retained interim coach Doug Marrone on a permanent basis this week and, on Tuesday, Denver announced the hiring of Miami defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. According to one published report, Buffalo is leaning toward Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott.
Those moves would leave three NFL openings – the Rams, San Diego and San Francisco – and plenty of desirable, offensive-minded candidates.
McVay and three other talented offensive coordinators – Atlanta's Kyle Shanahan, New England's Josh McDaniels and Buffalo's Anthony Lynn – remain available, but the pertinent question for the Rams is, how long can they afford to wait?
The Rams missed their interview with Shanahan last weekend because of weather-related travel problems and tentatively have re-scheduled an interview for Sunday, the day after the Falcons' playoff game against Seattle.
Clearly the Rams remain high on McVay, but he is also believed to be a strong candidate for the 49ers' opening. The Rams would like to talk to Shanahan, but by waiting for him, they might run the risk of losing McVay to another team.
McVay, not particularly considered a top-tier candidate last month, has vaulted up amid published reports that he is impressing team executives during the interview process.
McVay, who turns 31 on Jan. 24, would become the youngest head coach in NFL history. Lane Kiffin was 31 years, 8 months, when Oakland hired him in 2007.
A former high school quarterback, McVay has a good lineage. He's the grandson of John McVay, a top San Francisco 49ers executive during their successful run in the 1980s, and McVay's mentors include former NFL coach Jon Gruden, who is well-regarded by the Rams.
McVay could be intriguing to the Rams for another reason. ESPN reported Tuesday that, should McVay be hired as a head coach, Wade Phillips would be his top choice as defensive coordinator. Phillips, 69, has been an NFL coordinator (and head coach) since 1981.
The Rams have interviewed Buffalo offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn and New England coordinators Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia, all of whom are considered strong candidates. The Rams are considered likely to conduct second interviews with multiple candidates.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/11/2017 01:07PM by RamBill.
