Knox Is Fired by Rams After 3 Losing Years
Chuck Knox wanted to complete the final year of his contract, but the team management would not allow it, and so Monday he was fired as head coach of the Rams.
“This is probably the end of my 41-year coaching career,” Knox said. “Certainly I would have liked to continue, but under the circumstances and after thorough discussion it became apparent that was not going to be the case.”
Knox, while doomed by his 15-33 three-year record, also was hurt by the team’s anticipated move to St. Louis, which might be announced next week.
“Obviously there is a possibility the team will move,” Rams President John Shaw said. “And if the team moves, it will be looking to get a fresh start.”
The expected hiring of Steve Ortmayer, the Raiders’ special teams coach, to vice president of football operations is one more indication of the team’s resolve to begin anew in St. Louis.
“As far as a new head coach goes,” Shaw said, “I have given no thought of a replacement. It will probably be more like a month before we make such a decision.”
Shaw dismissed reports that he has focused on Wisconsin Coach Barry Alvarez, Minnesota Viking Coach Dennis Green and Dallas Cowboy offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese.
“All totally untrue,” Shaw said. “I have focused on no one at this time.”
The Rams characterized Knox’s firing as an agreement between both sides that it was best for the team to move forward with a new coach.
“I think he’s disappointed, as we were, that he didn’t get the job done,” Shaw said. “He still had some resolve to try and improve the football team. I wouldn’t say he was resigned (to being dismissed).”
Knox, who was hired on the recommendation of team owner Georgia Frontiere to replace John Robinson three years ago, left without having the opportunity to talk to her.
In a Rams’ press release, Frontiere was quoted as saying: “Chuck worked hard to make the Rams a better football team. We are all disappointed that the effort Chuck and his staff put forth did not translate into a more successful performance by the team on the field.”
There had been reports that Knox would bypass Shaw and go directly to Frontiere in an effort to save his job.
“I didn’t really make an effort to do that,” Knox said. “I called Georgia before Christmas and left a message wishing her a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I thought John Shaw was handling it, and we’d let the events play out the way they should play out.”
Knox’s assistants--with the exception of tight ends coach Warren Simmons and running backs coach Chuck Knox Jr., whose contracts expired--each have one year remaining with the Rams. They have been given permission to seek employment elsewhere and will be allowed the opportunity to interview with the Rams’ new head coach.
Rod Perry, defensive backs coach, already has talked with Houston Coach Jeff Fisher about a job and will travel there for an interview.
Shaw refused to discuss the financial terms of Knox’s departure, but when asked if he would be paid, Knox, who earned more than $700,000 this year, replied, “I’m under contract for another year.”
Knox, 62, the sixth winningest coach in NFL history with a 193-158-1 record (186-147-1 in the regular season), inherited a 3-13 team. But unlike previous stops in Seattle and Buffalo, he was unable to resurrect the program.
Knox had directed the team to five consecutive NFC West championships during his first tour of duty as the Rams’ head coach, 1973-77. Knox’s combined eight-year record with the Rams, including eight playoff games, is 72-53-1.
His 22 years as a head coach in the NFL, however, came to a close on a seven-game losing streak, and admittedly that has left a bad taste in his mouth.
“Quite honestly I never thought this was going to happen. I thought we would get it turned around, although coming in I knew it was going to be a tough job and knew it was going to be at least four years to get it done.
“Certainly I would much rather be going out the way we started at 12-2, 10-4 and 12-2 and that type of thing. But that hasn’t come to pass, and what’s happened is history.”
Knox was named NFL coach of the year four times during his career and is the only coach in NFL history to win division championships with three franchises. But during the past three years here his team failed to put together a two-game winning streak, and collapsed after opening 2-2 each year.
“The one thing Chuck taught me from Day 1: To make excuses after the fact is a loser’s lament,” said Joe Vitt, the Rams’ assistant head coach and one of Knox’s closest friends. “We played a 16-game schedule like everybody else, and we didn’t get it done.
“Like everybody else you go looking for a job now. You call your wife and let her know and then go on with life.”
Vitt has spent the past 12 years working with Knox, and in anticipation of Monday’s announcement he returned early from vacation to be with Knox when the news came.
“My heart goes out to him,” Vitt said. “He’s been like a father to me. I’m thankful for the time I had with him, and I’m thankful for the things he has done for me. Everything that I have in my life at this point he’s been responsible for--nothing but good memories.
“But again, we’re not standing outside a hospital room talking about him. And nobody’s died. This is life, and it’s new challenges and new beginnings for everybody.”
During their last week on the job, players circulated a petition asking management to retain Knox.
“Chuck was very good to the players and if anybody is to blame, it’s all of us,” said Tony Zendejas, Rams kicker. “We let him down.”
While Knox might not coach again, he said he will remain open to remaining in football in some other capacity.
“I don’t know if I’m ready for retirement,” Knox said. “There are a lot of things I could do. I’ve been in the league a long time and we’ll see what happens. I just want to get through this period here; I’m concerned about my assistant coaches and getting them jobs.
“I would just like to thank the owners that have hired me, the coaches I’ve coached with and, most importantly, the players that have played for me. They are the ones that enable a coach to be successful, and it’s been 41 years in coaching--32 years in the National Football League--and without some great character players and great efforts on their part, we would not have had the success we have had. That’s what I want to think about at this time.”
* MR. FIX-IT: Chuck Knox’s fourth NFL salvage job was one too many. C1
* TEAM SPIRIT: Rams players petitioned management to keep Knox. C1
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Rams, Knox Part Ways
The Rams fired head coach Chuck Knox on Monday. The move ended his second stint with the team. In his last three seasons the Rams won just 15 games while losing 33.
Ranking Chuck
Chuck Knox ranks sixth on the list of coaches with the most all-time regular season wins. Top 10 coaches with most regular-season wins (years coached): Don Shula (32): 319 George Halas (40): 318 Tom Landry (29): 250 Curly Lambeau (33): 226 Chuck Noll (23): 193 Chuck Knox (22): 186 Paul Brown (21): 166 Bud Grant (18): 158 Steve Owen (23): 151 Hank Stram (17): 131 Source: Rams media guide
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No More Magic
Chuck Knox turned three teams from losers to winners in his career, including the Rams in his first stint as head coach. The second time through with the Rams was not the charm. Number of wins: LOS ANGELES RAMS Pre Knox ‘71: 8 ‘72: 6 With Knox ‘73: 12 ‘74: 10 ‘75: 12 BUFFALO BILLS Pre Knox ‘76: 2 ‘77: 3 With Knox ‘78: 5 ‘79: 7 ‘80: 11 SEATTLE SEAHAWKS Pre Knox ‘81: 6 ’82 (Strike year): 4 With Knox ‘83: 9 ‘84: 12 ‘85: 8 LOS ANGELES RAMS Pre Knox ‘90: 5 ‘91: 3 With Knox ‘92: 6 ‘93: 5 ‘94: 4