shaneo69
01-08-2006, 02:45 PM
Vermeil back in St. Louis?
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/08/2006
The Rams, of course, are looking for a new head coach. And just in case you were wondering, Dick Vermeil says. . . .
"No. I know it's time."
As in time to retire. Vermeil announced his retirement Monday from the Kansas City Chiefs, and from coaching. This time, it sounds like he means it.
So nothing about a return to St. Louis sounds appealing?
"St. Louis is always appealing," Vermeil said. "But not at this stage of my life."
At age 69, Vermeil looks fit. Certainly fit enough to keep coaching.
"I feel good," he said. "Physically, I feel good. But emotionally, I get drained and that doesn't show."
As he looks around the NFL landscape, and sees all the coaching vacancies, Vermeil said he remains grateful for the chance he got in St. Louis.
"I'm looking at all the coaching changes here and wondering: Which one of these teams would call a guy after 14 years out of the game and give him a chance to kick-start his career again?" Vermeil said. "There isn't a person out there who would do it.
"To take a chance on someone like me, at a very critical time in a franchise's history, I can't tell you how indebted I am to Georgia (Frontiere) and John Shaw, and that organization."
As the Rams search for a new coach to replace Mike Martz - who was Vermeil's successor here - Vermeil wishes they'd give Al Saunders a call.
"He's going to be a head coach," Vermeil said. "I was hoping the Rams would be interested in him, but obviously they're not. But I was hoping they would be, because he loves St. Louis."
Saunders was wide receivers coach for Vermeil during the Rams' 1999 Super Bowl championship season, and added the title of associate head coach to those duties with the Rams in 2000 under Martz.
For the last five seasons, Saunders has been assistant head coach-offensive coordinator for Vermeil in Kansas City.
"Over the last four years, we're No. 1 in the NFL in yardage gained, and No. 2 in points scored," Vermeil said. "So that isn't too bad."
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
01/08/2006
The Rams, of course, are looking for a new head coach. And just in case you were wondering, Dick Vermeil says. . . .
"No. I know it's time."
As in time to retire. Vermeil announced his retirement Monday from the Kansas City Chiefs, and from coaching. This time, it sounds like he means it.
So nothing about a return to St. Louis sounds appealing?
"St. Louis is always appealing," Vermeil said. "But not at this stage of my life."
At age 69, Vermeil looks fit. Certainly fit enough to keep coaching.
"I feel good," he said. "Physically, I feel good. But emotionally, I get drained and that doesn't show."
As he looks around the NFL landscape, and sees all the coaching vacancies, Vermeil said he remains grateful for the chance he got in St. Louis.
"I'm looking at all the coaching changes here and wondering: Which one of these teams would call a guy after 14 years out of the game and give him a chance to kick-start his career again?" Vermeil said. "There isn't a person out there who would do it.
"To take a chance on someone like me, at a very critical time in a franchise's history, I can't tell you how indebted I am to Georgia (Frontiere) and John Shaw, and that organization."
As the Rams search for a new coach to replace Mike Martz - who was Vermeil's successor here - Vermeil wishes they'd give Al Saunders a call.
"He's going to be a head coach," Vermeil said. "I was hoping the Rams would be interested in him, but obviously they're not. But I was hoping they would be, because he loves St. Louis."
Saunders was wide receivers coach for Vermeil during the Rams' 1999 Super Bowl championship season, and added the title of associate head coach to those duties with the Rams in 2000 under Martz.
For the last five seasons, Saunders has been assistant head coach-offensive coordinator for Vermeil in Kansas City.
"Over the last four years, we're No. 1 in the NFL in yardage gained, and No. 2 in points scored," Vermeil said. "So that isn't too bad."