RAMS ’94 / SEASON PREVIEW : Ram Coaching Staff: A New Look

Coach Chuck Knox hired three new assistant coaches and promoted three others in the off-season. A look at the newcomers and staff members in new positions:

Steve Moore, Receivers

Career: Moore, 46, has held various offensive coaching positions on Knox’s Buffalo and Seattle staffs. He coached Seattle’s receivers from 1983-85 before becoming the team’s offensive coordinator in 1986. A graduate of UC Santa Barbara, Moore coached high school football in Texas before taking assistant positions at Army, and Rice. His first NFL job was as Buffalo’s special teams and offensive special assignments in 1978. Moore, who has been out of coaching since 1989, replaces Milt Jackson, who left in February to become Atlanta’s receivers coach.

Coaches who have influenced Moore: “I started with Chuck Knox when I was 30 years old, so he obviously has had a huge impact on me. And I’ve studied Bill Walsh’s work, and he was a strong influence too.”

Top players coached: In Seattle, wide receiver Steve Largent, running back Curt Warner and safety Kenny Easley.

FYI: During his five years out of football, Moore did strategic and operational planning for companies, primarily banks. He helped companies develop a game-plan through self-evaluation and studying the competition, much like his duties as a football coach. “The parallels between the two are several,” he said.

Season outlook: “We’re going to have a special year. I think Chris Miller is an incredible addition to the program, not only his athletic ability but his people skills. I think everything on offense will come together--Chris, Jerome Bettis, a revitalized Willie Anderson and an improved offensive line.”

Wayne Sevier, Special Teams

Career: Sevier, 53, has the task of improving the Rams’ special teams, which were ranked last in the NFL in several categories last season. Considered one of the best special teams coaches in the league, Sevier coached in three Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins. He also has coached with St. Louis, Atlanta and San Diego. Sevier replaces Howard Tippett, who resigned after last season.

Coaches who influenced Sevier: “The most obvious is Don Coryell, who influenced Joe Gibbs, myself, and everybody who played for him. And Gibbs has been a great influence too. He’s a future Hall of Famer, a guy who understands the whole package.”

Top NFL players coached: Punter--Reggie Roby. Kickers--Jim Bakken, St. Louis Rolf Benirschke in San Diego, Chip Lohmiller and Mark Moseley in Washington. Return men--Terry Metcalf in St. Louis, and Darrell Green and Brian Mitchell in Washington. Other special teams players--San Diego’s Hank Bauer and Washington’s Danny Copeland.

FYI: Sevier was quarterback on Don Coryell’s San Diego State teams in 1961 and ’62.

Career in quotes: “I can’t think of anything like that. But we’re going to shock the NFL this season with our special teams. Nobody has any idea what is going to happen.”

Warren Simmons, Tight Ends

Career: Simmons, 53, has coached tight ends, the offensive line and wide receivers during 12 seasons with the Washington Redskins, who won three Super Bowls in that stretch. He played center at San Diego State with Ram special teams coach Wayne Sevier before coaching at Cal State Fullerton (1974-78) and Cerritos College (1978-80).

Coaches who influenced Simmons: “It all starts with Don Coryell at San Diego State. Also Wally Kincaid, the baseball and football coach at Cerritos, and the late Dallas Moon at Cal State Fullerton, and Joe Gibbs at Washington.

Top NFL players coached: In Washington, Clint Didier, Art Monk, Ron Middleton, Terry Orr, Ricky Sanders and Don Warren.

FYI: Simmons attended Santa Fe Springs High with former Redskin Coach Joe Gibbs.

Career in quotes: “I feel very fortunate to have coached so many years under Joe. I can remember we went 0-5 in our first year there. Nobody handed us anything. We earned it.”