Former Coach of the Year Fassel among candidates for Rams job

Published: Jan 05, 2009 at 12:37 PM

ST. LOUIS -- Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel is among the candidates the St. Louis Rams are considering for their head coaching vacancy. He will interview with the team on Thursday, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

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The Rams are among the teams searching for a new coach, and there are a number of high-profile coaches available, including Jim Fassel. Here's the list of moves. Story ...

General manager Billy Devaney received clearance over the weekend to speak with Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles and Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman.

Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss got the first interview on Saturday. Devaney hopes to have a new coach in place by Jan. 24, the date of the Senior Bowl.

Interim coach Jim Haslett, who ended the season on a 10-game losing streak but impressed Devaney with an upbeat approach, will be among the finalists. Devaney said recently he'd not make a change just for change's sake.

"People can say 'Get rid of Haslett, hire the flavor of the month,'" Devaney said. "There's no guarantees."

Fassel, 59, coached the Giants to the Super Bowl in 2000 and has been working as a radio analyst this season.

Fassel has a career record of 58-53-1 and last coached in the NFL in 2006, when he was fired as Ravens offensive coordinator. He was NFL Coach of the Year in 1997, his first year with the Giants.

An interview with Ryan may be pushed back until after Saturday's playoff game against the Titans. Ryan has been with the Ravens since 1999 and has produced one of the NFL's best defenses this decade.

Interviews with Frazier and Bowles will not have similar obstacles after Minnesota and Miami lost in the wild-card round. Frazier completed his 10th NFL coaching season after starring at cornerback on the Bears' 1985 Super Bowl championship team.

Bowles was Miami's secondary coach and assistant head coach last season after coaching the secondary with the Cowboys from 2005-07.

Sherman has 21 years of NFL coaching experience, the last two working with Cowboys wide receivers.

Information from the Associated Press was included in this report

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