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JimYoungblood53
Walsh and Rams spoke---and it would have cost Rams $$$ to get him
At the time-Knox had not yet been fired, though Carroll never would admit to firing
always said "mutual parting of ways"
At the time Lions looking for a coach and Carroll was trying to get them to sign Knox
so he could get some compensation- draft picks but they waited and got Monte Clarke
Walsh said at the time that all he'd talked to Klosterman about was "players" available
in draft, but it was clearly more than that.
They wre being coy, I think, because of Walsh being under contract.
When Allen was fired then Carroll became enamored with him . . . while Klosterman
and others wanted new blood
Not sure how Walsh got out of the mix but he and Coryell were eliminated.
I do believe that Carroll Rosenbloom liked Walsh I do remember one of the hang ups was Walsh wanting to be GM too, which he was in San Francisco so that would have had to be worked out too.
The contracts back then were not a big deal, many like Vermeil to the Eagles were worked out so that was not an issue IMHO. I think Carroll Rosenbloom was talked into George Allen by his son Steve because Steve said "All George Allen does is win." IMO, if Carroll Rosenbloom was truly sold on Allen I don't think he was have fired him so quickly after two preseason games. Although many players could not stand Allen.
Overall it was a missed opportunity, CR (Carroll Rosenbloom) had an excellent track record hiring first time Head Coaches in Ewbank, Shula, Don McCafferty & Chuck Knox. Allen was the first Head Coach he hired with HC experience and IMO, it was doomed from the start. Sad Rams ended up with Ray Malavasi, who Rosenbloom had to pivot too because he was the only Knox holdover. Could have had Bill Walsh & ended up with Malavasi, who IMO, was never a serious candidate, but was the last man standing plus Pat Haden liked him.
Keep in mind the Rams had lost two preseason games in 78 to the Patriots & Chargers by the scores of 14-7 & 14-0, with Malavasi being the Offensive Coordinator (that's right George moved him to offense) as Allen and Bud Carson were now running the defense. But Malavasi was promoted to HC again because of being the only Knox assistant that Allen kept and the players wanted it back to the way it was under Chuck Knox.