PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : RAMS : Flores Says Firing Knox Not Personal

Tom Flores, who moved out of the front office to replace Chuck Knox as coach of the Seattle Seahawks, said the decision to end Knox’s nine-year tenure wasn’t a personal one. Knox was not offered a new contract at the end of last season, resigned, and was hired by the Rams within a matter of days.

“The owners just felt that it was time for a change--that was basically it,” said Flores, whose team will play host to the Knox-coached Rams on Thursday night in both teams’ first exhibition.

When these teams last played in the Kingdome at the end of the 1991 season, Knox was coaching his final game for Seattle, John Robinson his last for the Rams, and Flores was sitting on the press box level.

Flores said he watched that game feeling empathy for his friend Robinson, and uncertain about what would happen with the Seahawks. Soon after, Flores was asked to take over the coaching reins, and he accepted.

“They had nothing against Chuck,” Flores said of the Seattle owners. “They liked Chuck. He was successful up here. But since Ken Behring bought this team back in ‘88, the only change that had been made was me (being hired as team president). One person. So that’s unusual for a new owner taking over.”

“This past season, he just felt he wanted to go in a different direction. He wanted a different style. And that’s why he made the decision. It had nothing to do with Chuck as a person or as a coach. (Behring) just wanted a change.”

Starting tailback Cleveland Gary sat out both practices because of a sore hamstring, and it is uncertain whether he will play against Seattle. If he can’t, Robert Delpino will move over from fullback to take his place, Knox said.

Knox said he plans to play quarterback Jim Everett in the first half against Seattle, then split the second half between backups Mike Pagel and T.J. Rubley.