Chris Mortensen of ESPN is reporting that the St. Louis Rams and owner Stan Kroenke will fire head coach Steve Spagnuolo and General Manager Billy Devaney. That possibility has been hinted at for weeks now, mostly through rumors. A few suggested that owner Stan Kroenke had yet to make up his mind. Nothing official has been reported on the matter by the Rams.
As for what happens now, the Rams will start a search for a new head coach and General Manager. A few names have been tossed around the rumor mill already, including current Chargers GM A.J. Smith and big fish like Jon Gruden and Jeff Fisher. The Gruden rumors took a big hit when Gruden said over the weekend that he will stay in his ESPN broadcasting job.
Spagnuolo finished his third season with at 10-38, the worst mark of any NFL head coach in franchise history. Spagnuolo still has a few defenders in the media and among fans, mostly thanks to a decent body of work with the Rams defense and an easy going demeanor. However, in the NFL, coaches don't get a second and third chance at $2 million per season and with hundreds of millions of dollars on the line.
Spagnuolo had tremendous control over personnel moves that have not turned out well for the Rams over the years. The overall lack of talent and depth contributed heavily to the team's struggles, particularly on offense.
We'll be here 'round the clock with reaction and more news as it happens. Follow us on Twitter for even more @TurfShowTimes.
0 recs | 131 comments
The same AJ Smith that has created a mess in San Diego?
KD1 - January 1, 2012
Sounds like a winner? haha
RG31 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Isn't he "The Lord of No Rings?"
Sam Godford - January 1, 2012
well they seem to be one of the most stable teams record-wise
loyal2therams - January 2, 2012
Starting from scratch...AGAIN
QA-Ram - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Forever rebuilding.
Sam Godford - January 1, 2012
make it happen - regime change needed
i haven’t heard any good news out of Rams park all year.
DevsLaRams - January 1, 2012
Agreed.
STLRambler - January 1, 2012
We could've actually competed next year
Not so much now. Another season of roster cuts and a coach making “his team” and we’ll be lucky to be competitive in 3 years, unless we fire the next coach for not getting us into the playoffs and challenging for a super bowl regardless of injuries.
TheSmart1 - January 1, 2012
I know I missed a lot but...
27 points? I didn’t know we were allowed to score that many points.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
Doubled
our point total for the year, didn’t it? ;)
thisguy - January 1, 2012
We look better statistically now. YAY!
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
lol
thisguy - January 1, 2012
I honestly feel sorry for the guy
Great guy, but this is business, if you can’t win then GTFO……I hope he has a good career moving forward…..see ya spags
RAMSALLTHEWAY - January 1, 2012 via mobile
He wasted three years of the Rams team I dont feel sorry at all for him,I saw from day one he was no head coach
Rammon105 - January 1, 2012
I'm kinda split on this...
I’d really love to see Spags stay for at least 1 more year to try and complete this defense and keep all of these guys in the same system. And I’m hopeful that with time if Spags stays, that we’ll get the offensive pieces ready in order to be competitive. If I’d like to see anyone go, it’s Billy Devaney, but with all of that said..this is a win now league. Unfortunately for Spags, 10-38 just isn’t going to get the job done.
Now like someone mentioned, we’re pretty much back where we were in 07, 08. Half of this team is likely gone next year. Let’s hope that the right players are brought in to replace them.
ramswo85 - January 1, 2012
As long as
they don’t forget to kick Josh McDainels in the rear on the way out….ohh and maybe they could bring the pictures of the Rams greats back into the front office for some inspiration……no road to the future w/out a link to the past
Jas the Mace - January 1, 2012
You got that straight make Spagnolo put the pictures back up he jinksed the team the day he took those pictures down
Rammon105 - January 1, 2012
About Damn Time!
richter122 - January 1, 2012
Thank God
I don’t mind rebuilding if we are going in the right direction. Spags was going to destroy Bradford’s career. He decisions were so destructive to the Rams. Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out!!!!!! Haha
Rcoon1307 - January 1, 2012 via mobile
BS
tell me when have you ever seen Bradford ever hit a receiver in stride or throw a fade pattern that wasn’t out of play he’s a bum
lil_smokie60 - January 1, 2012
Say What?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ANX6Fj4NdmE
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
lil_smokie60
Did you see that?
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
yep
you watch him next year in the red zone on a fade pass 9 of 10 he will throw out of bounds
lil_smokie60 - January 1, 2012
Alright
I just enjoyed that.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
ok
thats ok im still pissed we didnt move up to get julio jones lol
lil_smokie60 - January 1, 2012
... Fucking Falcons...
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
it amazes me that people still wanted to keep Spags
jesus would he have had to lose every game for the last 3 years for you people to want him fired? Spags has the second worst winning percentage of all time. Reread that line please and tell how the heck could you want to give him another year?
I also don’t buy this bs that we can’t compete next year because we will have a new coach. Uhm how many teams this year made huge improvements under their new coaches
mcpeepants23200 - January 1, 2012
+1
Jas the Mace - January 1, 2012
It's stupid to judge anyone
player, coach, or team, based solely on wins. Things have to be looked at in context, in relation to the events occurring at the same time.
For example, 8 wins next year would be a huge disappointment for the packers, but a large improvement for the vikings. Not all wins are the same.
TheSmart1 - January 1, 2012
agreed...
100%
victorian - January 1, 2012
lol so many fools talk about him being a nice guy hahaha this is the worst Ram team ever
Rammon105 - January 1, 2012
Why you calling a man a fool here? We love a 2-14 team, we are all fools. But everyone is nice enough never to mention it.
kickasskeever - January 1, 2012
I Hope
Kroenke does not bring in Smith as GM or Mike Sherman as HC. They can do better IMO.
ValdezY - January 1, 2012
Yeah
Sherman sucks and AJ Smith is a dick.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
Yeah!
Hell; Why get rid of Devaney and Spags if that’s the best you can do? Good Lord!
ValdezY - January 1, 2012
They are both better then Devaney and Spags but not by enough.
AJ can find talent better then Billy D but he doesn’t treat the players very well and Sherman… I’ve seen a lot of him.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
A J may have got lucky and found a few players but the team he inherited was way more talented than the one he leave behind.
LARams1968 - January 1, 2012
didn't devaney...
spend time in San Diego too?
victorian - January 1, 2012
What did he do there? A J replaced a guy that died.
Was he some kind of FO assistant or intern?
LARams1968 - January 1, 2012
yes he drafted Leaf lol
Rammon105 - January 1, 2012
That Blows!!!
ValdezY - January 1, 2012
I Just Hope They Get Someone Else
For GM and HC. We will see.
ValdezY - January 1, 2012
fisher for head coach
Dorsey for GM IMO.
zachmann21 - January 1, 2012
Dorsey?
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
John Dorsey, director of player personnel for the Packers
Brick Top - January 1, 2012
Sounds fine to me.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
What if Bill Polian is fired from the colts?
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
colts seem too reliant on a few stars, not sure that speaks well of the GM
TheBirds - January 1, 2012
Can't deny that they had great success.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
they also had arguably the best QB in NFL history though
and then fell apart the second he got hurt
TheBirds - January 1, 2012
Mostly because that QB was his own offensive coordinator and
the defense relied on being ahead in games and having their star DE’s tee off on the other teams QB. With out their QB they fell apart unlike teams like the pats and packers that have so much depth they could throw any nobody in there and have them put up huge numbers and lead said team to the playoffs.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
exactly, I can't deny the guy can find stars and wouldn't mind hiring him
but he also hasn’t built much depth, which is a huge issue for a team like the rams. That scares me.
TheBirds - January 1, 2012
Alright.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
He did do pretty good when he assembled the Jim Kelly Biils
His big claim to fame comes from the powerful Bills team he built. I always thought he was hamstung by salaries in Indy. A few big ones, I mean, ate up a large part of his cap space and he had to be creative to fill out the rest of his roster.
LARams1968 - January 1, 2012
The bills were good but had a great HC
and were using the innovative (at the time) K-gun offense which involved a lot of no huddle.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
That he hired.
After signing Kelly and Smith.
That team had depth and was a power house.
LARams1968 - January 1, 2012
What great coaches has he hired since?
Dungy who was shoved out of Tampa? Jim Caldwell sure as hell ain’t worth anything. I would like it if we got Polian though but I wouldn’t want us to be like his bills of the 90’s and I wouldn’t want us to be 100% dependent on the QB position.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
Jim Mora as a coach was a good hire.
Even tough he could never win the big game.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
Jim Mora was one of the worst coaches ever and so was his father lol please try again hahaha
Rammon105 - January 1, 2012
Both of the mora's have had success in the NFL
to call either of them one of the worst coaches in the NFL would be wrong.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
Mora Gone
UCLA head coach 2012
81 Witness - January 1, 2012
He was smart enough to pick Peyton when Leaf was out there
Say what you want. His trade with the Rams helped both teams. In Indy he took a 3-13 team and managed to have a shot at the SB for almost 10 years. He put the pieces in place on that Bills team. There are few GMs out there that have even come close to his success level.
LARams1968 - January 1, 2012
I'm with you on having a solid team
That doesn’t have to depend on two or three players to carry them.
LARams1968 - January 1, 2012
That's what I would want.
A well rounded team.
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
does he have anyone to blame for the large contracts than himself?
TheBirds - January 1, 2012
I see your point.
I guess he could have got rid of Peyton, James, harrison or Wayne.
LARams1968 - January 1, 2012
kinda want an offensive minded coach, but Fisher is probably the safest choice
and not one that I can complain about
TheBirds - January 1, 2012
source
Says decision yet not made
RAMSALLTHEWAY - January 1, 2012 via mobile
here's the question
do you place more relevancy on ESPN’s word or the Post-Dispatches, I’m going with ESPN’s. Plus I heard that BIlly D leaked the report him self accordion to Softli, so maybe Kronke doesn’t want to announce it yet
Brick Top - January 1, 2012
jus sayin :/
RAMSALLTHEWAY - January 1, 2012 via mobile
since the PD is actually in saint louis....
Bralidore - January 1, 2012
This isn't the 50's anymore
media has moved on and where you are from doesn’t have any impact on your ability to get breaking new out first
Brick Top - January 1, 2012
what does that have to do with me just saying not to pop the champaigne yet?
RAMSALLTHEWAY - January 1, 2012 via mobile
nothing
I’m just saying that the fact that the PD is in STL and ESPN isn’t has nothing to do with the PD being more credible, because they simply aren’t. As for not popping the champagne yet, Thomas just said that just because it’s not announced yet doenst’ mean it won’t happen.
Brick Top - January 1, 2012
k
Got it
RAMSALLTHEWAY - January 1, 2012 via mobile
lol
Rammon105 - January 1, 2012
thank goodness
G unit Rams - January 1, 2012
Lotta 49ers fans at the game today
Notorious PSC - January 1, 2012
Yup
addnon - January 1, 2012
Was kinda disappointed because I heard some Niners cheers at one point
But I’ve been to enough Rams/Chiefs games in the dome to know what thats like
Notorious PSC - January 1, 2012
Agreed
Ski Dawg - January 1, 2012
10-38. 3 years..
nuff said. thats why noones at the games
Bralidore - January 2, 2012
I know, but its still kinda disappointing
Notorious PSC - January 2, 2012
Get the lead out...
Gametime ended 6 hrs ago. Lets get a-firing so we can start interviewin’ replacements. They should start a new tradition at the end of every season. As soon as the final gun is fired onthe last game they should drop pink slips and maps showing the exits from the top of the Ed so that coach and player has one and knows where to go.
Da Rams! - January 1, 2012
Thats why they call it black monday you got a few hours to wait lol
Rammon105 - January 1, 2012
All I have to say:
SUCK IT PEKKA!
King Sam Rules! - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Curious?
Joe Mazzi - January 1, 2012 via mobile
No, he's just the apologist version of RamChop
Goes way too far to the look past coaches flaws side and condescends, so at this point, I’m happy Spags is out just cause it means he has to get over it and be wrong
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Haha got it..
Here’s to next year!
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012 via mobile
By the way
Are you a Rams fan via Bradford or the horns? Like you either way.
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Sam
Although I really do love SJax. He’s to me the most underrated player by the media in the league. However, I’m open to trading him if we have to.
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Kinda want to hit you..
But you’ll soon learn.. JK…If it weren’t for Faulk, SJ39 would be my favorite of all time.
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Fact
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Fact
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012 via mobile
I'm only open to trading him cause we need so much and he's getting old
And the running game means nothing at this point (4 guys had 5000+ yards passing and AD, MJD, SJax, and Chris Johnson didn’t make the playoffs). It’s all about the pass and just being an efficient running team,
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
I'm wondering where he's gone to
Brick Top - January 2, 2012
Well the guy was right
Spags needs to keep his job. Don’t crucify the guy for having a different opinion. He wasn’t insulting with it, so dont even compare the guy to RamChop.
MyACLisBrittle - January 2, 2012
Yes, he was condescending and only interested in his opinions
Not putting facts behind it
King Sam Rules! - January 2, 2012 via mobile
It was his opinion...
And you are only interested in yours, thats why you call him condescending.
MyACLisBrittle - January 3, 2012
Hallelujah!!!
It isn’t actually starting from scratch when you are already on the bottom. Spags might go 3-13 if he continued to be head coach next year. Bring in Fisher or Billick and the Rams will go 8-8 in year one assuming that they bring in a decent offensive coordinator. I would bring in Norv as OC.
You notice the job that Scott Linehan is doing as OC now that he has a decent QB not named Bulger and Megatron doesn’t hurt either.
Mister T - January 1, 2012
With ya to an extant.
This team is better than 2-14. Or should be. The talent shows unlike 2009.
I can’t commit to Fisher. I want to see some candidates.
Joe Mazzi - January 1, 2012 via mobile
Billik BLOWS
Ram_Redemption - January 1, 2012 via mobile
But Billick knows QB!...
I actually liked him in Bmor. He runs a tight ship. Like Spags..
Joe Mazzi - January 1, 2012 via mobile
And there's the the problem.
“Like Spags.”
RAMpage28 - January 1, 2012
I know, I know..
I really did like him. I won’t lie. It’s disappointing to me.. I drank the KoolAid…
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Billick knows how to be a step coach and win with someone elses team lol
What qbs? Boller? Dilfer?! Lol
Ram_Redemption - January 2, 2012 via mobile
"I know quarterbacks"
Is what Billck said when he drafted Boller. No lie.
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012 via mobile
What about when he was the Offensive coordinator for the Vikings....
RAMpage28 - January 2, 2012
Howzabout a TE coach ;)
There are others id look at.
Joe Mazzi - January 2, 2012 via mobile
Seriously?
Culpepper to Carter and Moss. Brother, you or me could have coordinated that offense to greatness. Billick is overrated.
FailureDrill - January 2, 2012 via Android app
A few quotes from the players...
…Lloyd even calls him “inspirational.” It’s too bad we probably won’t get to see what he could do with a clean bill of health and an offseason to prepare. Such is the nature of this NFL beast.
TrojanRam - January 2, 2012
Any idea....
how quickly the a) firing, and b) rehiring should take place?
I’d imagine that if it’s being tweeted ‘per team source’ that the former is pretty immediate
DCRamFan - January 2, 2012
this all stems back to august -when we were unable to land any top tier
talent
spags and devaney will be gone
fischer will sign with the dolphins -josh will stay -after all he’s the owners “buddy”
and if we continue to sign free agent one year replacement parts nothing will change
Lloyd will probably be gone …so we still won’t have any receivers ..no line ..and a has proven nothing bradford
o yea don’t be surprised if we bring back MSW
jswirb - January 2, 2012
gruden --fischer -cowers -and the like
lets just get them all out of our heads right no
‘never happen’
jswirb - January 2, 2012
i wish the posts from august could be brought back up when i called
this whole predictable mess
back then i was told i was crazy and negative ..and give it a chance
well i was mostly dead on (didn’t think this bad though)
next august my opinions will obviuosly be revered a little more
jswirb - January 2, 2012
doubt it
YOU ARE THE MAN THOUGH!!!DCRamFan - January 2, 2012
billick might be overated --but did he ever have a 2 win season??
you know its bad when a missed 12 yard field goal cost us the number one draft pick
jswirb - January 2, 2012
all apologies accepted --now we'll move on
jswirb - January 2, 2012
if you think about it tony banks had more wins than bradford at a fraction of the cost
jswirb - January 2, 2012
why has josh's name not been mentioned in the firings
jswirb - January 2, 2012
the only way spags stays is by default --if the feeling is that no one else wants to come here
and if we don’t listen to our scouts or our scouts don’t know our glaring weakness it doesn’t matter who we get to coach
why have scouts in the first place
we all knew our glaring weakness
if now one knows enough to address them or the scouts don’t know enough what they are
the results will be the same
personally i think kroanake has little interest in the team..and would rather be at the hoese races
jswirb - January 2, 2012
the wife just said "honey you are usually right" .................AGAIN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jswirb - January 2, 2012
For the love of god,
Shut the fuck up already.
FailureDrill - January 2, 2012 via Android app
Amen!
RG31 - January 2, 2012 via mobile
recommended read here, folks!
DCRamFan - January 2, 2012
damnit!
that was a reply to FailureDrill……well said, sir
DCRamFan - January 2, 2012
First thing jswirb - people called you crazy because your rants were five/six posts at a time, and they didn't make much sense...
Secondly, you declaring yourself some sort of “prophet” for thinking you could see this happening is just stoopid. You’re a pessimist – you think something lousy is gonna happen, so you call it that way. That doesn’t make you right – hell, that doesn’t even make you a true fan of this organisation. Nobody on here wanted to truly see Spagnuolo fail. Because his failiure means this team has to start getting it right all over again, for probably the third time in less than a decade. And you ranting about the likes of Gruden or Fisher or Cowher not coming here? That’s you looking at things half-empty, and feigning surprise if it happens. You were wrong about Lloyd, and yet you shrug it off like it wasn’t a big deal.
If you want to blow your own trumpet about being happy that you called our current predicament, and that we gave you shit about it, then fine. Congratulations. But not everyone on here gave you shit about what you were saying. It was more the way you were saying it. And I’m gonna disregard anything else you say from now on. Because, as a true Rams fan, I want to see this organisation become successful again – no matter who is in charge.
JoolzMF - January 2, 2012 via mobile
thank you thats all ---i was looking for someone to say yes you were right jswirb
and jswirb hates watching meaningless rams football games in december….we’ve been doing it much to long……..i just get frustrated because i saw this coming and was and am still am pissed about it …..because it did not need to be this way
jswirb - January 2, 2012
when you are a ram fan for so many years you get tired of looking at the glass half
empty …but thats just the predicament this organization has put us in…its just a fact …and until that changes where we can at least compete on a professional its tuff to change that point of view …..BUT that said if progress is ever made i will gladly change my opinions……i was there when we beat the titans for the super bowl……thats why the last 10 years frustrate me so…….beating the 49er’s to keep them from being a second seed means nothing to me…..beating the 49er’s in the playoff is a different story…and yes if we had a quality receiver early on …we might have beaten the skins ..cards…giants …eagles…..and made the season differenent ……when your 1-6….its hard for anyone even vince lombardi to keep your team motivated
jswirb - January 2, 2012
obviously i struck a truthfull non sarcastic truth
jswirb - January 2, 2012
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