Turf Show Times

The St. Louis Rams announced the hiring of Gregg Williams and Brian Schottenheimer on Monday. Williams will be the team's defensive coordinator, and Schottenheimer will run the offense. Both hirings were confirmed prior to today's press release from the team.

Williams is a long-time Fisher associate, and was the first assistant hired after Fisher took the job. In fact, Fisher confirmed the news himself last Tuesday at the press conference where he was introduced as the team's new head coach.

"I have worked with and known Gregg for a lot of years and I have a tremendous amount of respect for him as a defensive coordinator and value his past experience as a head coach," Fisher said. "He brings an aggressive approach that I'm sure will benefit our defense and he has a wealth of knowledge that will aid our entire team."

Williams' defense took some heat this season after a loss to the 49ers in the Divisional round of the playoffs. However, his unit lacked talent, particularly along the defensive line and among the linebackers.

Schottenheimer got the job over former Oakland head coach Hue Jackson. He leaves the Jets after six seasons.

"I am really excited to have Brian join our staff," Rams Head Coach Jeff Fisher said. "He is a well respected coach in this league who has had success for many years at a high level as an offensive coordinator. We share the same philosophies on the offensive side of the ball and I think he is a tremendous addition to our staff."

The addition of Schottenheimer could increase the likelihood of backup quarterback Kellen Clemens sticking around for another season.

The Schottenheimer hire has been less popular with fans, based largely on what happened with the Jets over the last couple seasons. In Schottenheimer's defense, the Jets have some pretty significant problems off the field. LaDainian Tomlinson spoke pretty directly about those issues in a recent interview.

Related: The Brian Schottenheimer Paradox

Fisher is now in the process of hiring the assistant coaches who will work with those coordinators.

Former Rams offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels left to take the same job with the New England Patriots. Ken Flajole, the Rams defensive coordinator under Steve Spagnuolo, is expected to join his old boss as an assistant coach in New Orleans, where Spagnuolo is now the defensive coordinator.