Rams coaching search: Here's the latest

Rams coaching search: Here's the latest

By RICH HAMMOND / STAFF WRITER

[www.ocregister.com]

The coaching search has commenced.

The Rams don’t have a timetable for hiring a full-time replacement for Jeff Fisher, and the process figures to have several twists and turns throughout January.

The Rams are known to be interested in a number of current NFL assistant coaches and have been linked, through various reports, to other candidates.

Here’s a look at some of the possibilities, grouped by who might be most likely to come to Los Angeles.

FIRST TIER

• Kyle Shanahan: Atlanta’s offensive coordinator likely will be popular among all teams with openings. He is expected to interview with the Rams on Friday or Saturday.

• Josh McDaniels: New England’s offensive coordinator filled the same role for the Rams in 2011, under Steve Spagnuolo. He is expected to interview with the Rams on Friday or Saturday.

• Sean Payton: If there’s mutual interest – Payton denies it – New Orleans could arrange a trade for its head coach.

• David Shaw: Stanford’s coach long has been considered a future NFL coach, and he visited the Rams’ practice facility in November.

SECOND TIER

• Anthony Lynn: Buffalo’s offensive coordinator got some late-season experience as interim coach. He is expected to interview with the Rams this week.

• Sean McVay: Washington’s 30-year-old offensive coordinator would be youngest head coach in NFL history. He is expected to interview with the Rams this week.

• Matt Patricia: If the Rams are looking for a defensive coach, New England’s coordinator will be high on the list.

• Vance Joseph: This would be a big jump for Miami’s first-year defensive coordinator.

THIRD TIER

• Teryl Austin: Detroit’s defensive coordinator has been a part of two other staffs (Seattle, Arizona) that reached the Super Bowl. He is expected to interview with the Rams this week.

• Jim Bob Cooter: Detroit’s offensive coordinator is only 32 but has worked well with quarterbacks.

• Todd Haley: Pittsburgh’s offensive coordinator has experience, as former coach in Kansas City (2009-11).

• Doug Marrone: Jacksonville’s interim coach also has coached the Buffalo Bills (2013-14) and Syracuse (2009-12).

• Harold Goodwin: Arizona’s offensive coordinator won a Super Bowl ring as Pittsburgh’s offensive line coach.

• Steve Wilks: Carolina’s assistant head coach and secondary coach has yet to be a coordinator in the NFL. Wilkes interviewed with the Rams on Tuesday.

WILD CARDS

• Jon Gruden: Former Super Bowl-winning coach doesn’t seem motivated to leave the broadcast booth.

• Jim Harbaugh: Michigan coach might itch for the NFL again someday, but he is adamant he won’t leave now.

• John Fassel: The Rams’ interim coach got a courtesy interview this week; he might thrive in college football.

THE TIMETABLE

Starting Jan. 2, the Rams were allowed to interview current NFL assistants (assuming that permission was given by the candidate’s current team) those seasons already have ended. That would include candidates such as Wilks, Lynn and McVay.

On Friday and Saturday, the Rams have a window during which they can interview candidates on teams that have a bye during the first round of the playoffs. That includes McDaniels and Shanahan.

Candidates from NFL teams that are playing this week will be made available next week, during a prescribed window. College coaches, and otherwise unemployed candidates, can be interviewed at any time.