Zampese Withdraws Name From Ram Consideration

Ernie Zampese, the Dallas Cowboy offensive coordinator who formerly held the same post with the Rams, said Wednesday night he will announce today he is withdrawing his name from consideration for the vacant Rams’ head coaching post.

“I’m going to officially tell the people in Dallas that I’m staying and not going to do anything with the Rams,” Zampese said. “I like the Ram people so much, and if I was ever going to take the opportunity to leave and become a head coach it would be with these people.

“The Rams went first class the whole way, but I have decided to stay with the Cowboys. I really enjoy my job in Dallas, and there are still some things I want to accomplish here.”

The Rams told reporters in St. Louis and Los Angeles earlier Wednesday that Zampese was a finalist for the job along with Oregon Coach Rich Brooks. Zampese’s exit, however, leaves the position wide open for Brooks, unless the team decides to make one final run at former Chicago Bear Coach Mike Ditka, UCLA’s Terry Donahue or San Diego State Coach Ted Tollner.

The Rams talked with Ditka again Wednesday but so far have been unable to convince him to schedule an interview.

Brooks, meanwhile, returned to Eugene on Wednesday, but he could come back as soon as today to meet with owner Georgia Frontiere.

“I’m very interested in the job,” Brooks said. “I thought my meeting with (team President) John Shaw went well, but we have not talked contract. I assume I will be hearing from them in the next day or two.”

Shaw called Brooks a “very serious candidate,” and said he had received the strong endorsement of Steve Ortmayer, vice president of football operations, and Jay Zygmunt, senior vice president.

The Rams are concerned that Brooks’ 18-year record of 91-109-4 might prove a tough sell to the public. St. Louis fans, who rushed to buy more than 72,000 personal seat licenses, have overwhelmingly endorsed the hiring of Ditka.

“I kind of had a good feeling when I talked with these people,” Brooks said. “I’m intrigued, and I am very interested in talking with them again.”