Rams Like Brooks, but They Are Still Looking

Oregon’s Rich Brooks remains the Rams’ choice to become their coach, but team executives said Thursday they have talked to UCLA’s Terry Donahue twice and will take one more look around the country.

The Rams’ concern, that they might have difficulty selling Brooks’ sub-.500 record to the fans of St. Louis, has prompted team President John Shaw to ask his search committee to re-evaluate all candidates.

Shaw confirmed that Los Angeles agent Marvin Demoff has been hired by Brooks to talk about possible terms for a deal.

“But we don’t feel we’re in position at this point to make an offer,” Shaw said. “There are still some things we wish to consider. We’re discussing Mike Ditka within our organization, and Terry Donahue knows we have an interest in him.

“I’ve talked with Terry, and Steve Ortmayer (vice president of football operations) has talked with him. I would not characterize it as an interview, but more of an inquiry. We have no plans at this time to interview him, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we won’t.”

Shaw said the Rams spoke earlier in the week to Ditka.

The Rams also have considered Ted Tollner, San Diego State coach, but have not contacted him.

Brooks’ name surfaced as a candidate before the end of the regular season. He was the first candidate to be interviewed by the Rams, and by all accounts has impressed the team’s top brass.

Brooks, 91-109-4 in 18 seasons with Oregon, met with his coaching staff in Eugene on Thursday and told it to get to work, while also expressing concern about the Rams’ reluctance to make a quick decision.