Zampese Staying on Team : Rams: Knox waiting on Seahawks’ Catlin to see if Fisher will be retained.

Hours after the afternoon news conference that officially heralded his arrival, new Ram Coach Chuck Knox seized the reins of power and began shaping his version of the Ram future.

Wednesday evening, Knox informed offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese that he will be retained as chief play-caller, then told defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher that he will have to wait until the end of the week--and the decision of Seattle defensive coordinator Tom Catlin whether to leave the Seahawks--before he knows whether Fisher will stay or be fired.

In the Beverly Hills hotel that will be his base for a few days and where he held his news conference, Knox met with Zampese, Fisher, special teams coach Gil Haskell and defensive line coach John Teerlinck, the only members of John Robinson’s former staff that he is considering keeping.

Knox apparently will bring at least four and at most five of his former Seattle coaches with him--secondary coach Rod Perry, special assignment coach Joe Vitt, defensive line coach George Dyer, and running backs coach Chick Harris are coming with him to the same jobs in Anaheim, along with Catlin, if he chooses to.

That means secondary coach Tom Bettis, likely headed to the San Diego Chargers; offensive line coach Hudson Houck, who could go to Seattle; running backs coach Clarence Shelmon and receivers coach Jimmy Raye do not have jobs with the Rams.

Linebacker coach Ronnie Jones may be retained, as there is no one Knox is bringing in immediately at that spot, but Knox has made no decision there.

Dyer’s presence edges out Teerlinck, who is admired by the Rams’ administration but will stay only if Knox is persuaded to move Dyer to coaching linebackers.

Haskell gained stature with Knox when Seattle’s special teams coach, Rusty Tillman, chose to stay with the Seahawks.

Catlin, 60, has an offer to remain in Seattle in some capacity and has talked recently about retiring, but has been offered a chance to become Knox’s defensive coordinator and apparently will decide in the next few days.

Fisher, 33, hangs in the balance of that decision, although Knox apparently respects his work. Fisher may have been given permission to look elsewhere.

“I’d like very much to be a part of this organization,” Fisher said before meeting with Knox. “I hope I get an opportunity to do that.”

Executive Vice President John Shaw said he has no idea if Fisher will be retained.

“I think he will be interviewed and hopefully retained,” Shaw said. “But that’s up to Chuck.”