Rams Coaching Search: Jeff Fisher Hires Titans' LB Coach Dave McGinnis

by Ryan Van Bibber on Jan 23, 2012 1:45 PM CST

Jeff Fisher, the St. Louis Rams new head coach, has been busy filling out his coaching staff recently. Over the weekend, news broke that Fisher had hired Paul Boudreau as his offensive line coach and Mike Waufle as his defensive line coach. He may have found his next staff member. Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean is reporting that Titans' senior assistant and linebackers coach Dave McGinnis has been hired to join Fisher's staff. He will serve as an assistant head coach.

McGinnis' name came up over the weekend as a very distinct possibility to reunite with Fisher in St. Louis, so this news hardly qualifies as a surprise. His capacity with the Rams would probably be similar to the one he currently holds in Tennessee, with emphasis on his role as a senior level assistant.

The Titans denied Fisher's request to interview Steve Watterson, their strength and conditioning coach, last week. McGinnis' contract with the team has expired.

An eight-year veteran in Tennessee, McGinnis fits with the profile of the handful of other assistants hired by Fisher and the Rams to this point. McGinnis was the head coach in Arizona from 2000-2003. His work in Tennessee with Keith Bulluck and Stephen Tulloch stand out in recent years. From 1986-1995 he was the Bears' linebacker coach.

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Bring back Will Witherspoon!

Plug him on the outside of Laurinaitis like the last coaching staff should had done in the first place.

Been losing sleep over Rams football since 1999.
Steven Jackson is a beast, a legend, a HoFer and should be treated as such.

by Joe Mazzi on Jan 23, 2012 2:09 PM CST reply actions

I like this idea!

by Sundowner on Jan 23, 2012 2:17 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

That is

If spoon can still play

by Sundowner on Jan 23, 2012 2:18 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

Really?

Have you seen their LB corp?

Just when Bugs thinks he's done with him, the Tasmanian Devil asks: "What for you bury me in the cold, cold ground?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaxEtR0chhA (3min. 8 sec)

by Da Rookie on Jan 23, 2012 2:23 PM CST up reply actions

Tennessee's? I'd call it above average.

Been losing sleep over Rams football since 1999.
Steven Jackson is a beast, a legend, a HoFer and should be treated as such.

by Joe Mazzi on Jan 23, 2012 2:26 PM CST up reply actions

Witherspoon still on Eagles?

Maybe I missed something. But did not the RAms trade a undersized LB to the eagles. Might be my bad..

Just when Bugs thinks he's done with him, the Tasmanian Devil asks: "What for you bury me in the cold, cold ground?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaxEtR0chhA (3min. 8 sec)

by Da Rookie on Jan 23, 2012 2:28 PM CST up reply actions

Yes. In 2009 the Rams traded WW to Philly for Brandon Gibson and a 5th round pick.

That 5th round pick became DE Hall Davis. We traded him because he didn’t fit Spag’s definition of a MLB, even though he never really fit anybody’s definition of a MLB. Aside from his 3 years in STL, he’s always been on the outside. Philly let him walk after that one year and he’s been a Titan ever since. He’s no Pro Bowler, but he’s a good starter.

Been losing sleep over Rams football since 1999.
Steven Jackson is a beast, a legend, a HoFer and should be treated as such.

by Joe Mazzi on Jan 23, 2012 2:32 PM CST up reply actions

If he has "Bears linebacker coach" on his resume, he's fine by me.

Join my Google+ circle

by Douglas M on Jan 23, 2012 2:13 PM CST reply actions

For nearly a decade.

A lot of that time corresponds with Singletary’s playing days, too.

Been losing sleep over Rams football since 1999.
Steven Jackson is a beast, a legend, a HoFer and should be treated as such.

by Joe Mazzi on Jan 23, 2012 2:24 PM CST up reply actions

I am naked eating a icecream cone now.

Never know when the next drop may excite you..
Over the weekend, news broke that Fisher had hired Paul Boudreau as his offensive line coach
NO MORE LOONEY
I feel like that Chaos guy in the commercials.

Just when Bugs thinks he's done with him, the Tasmanian Devil asks: "What for you bury me in the cold, cold ground?"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaxEtR0chhA (3min. 8 sec)

by Da Rookie on Jan 23, 2012 2:22 PM CST reply actions

Speaking of McGinnis and Stephen Tulloch...

I know Tulloch is a MLB, but could he be effective as an OLB? He was a stud with TEN, and is now a FA after having a good season with DET. If he could be a good OLB, preferably the Sam, the team could draft a Will, like Brown or David, and conceivably have a strong LB unit. Might he want to reunite with Fisher and McGinnis? Signing ex-Titans Finnegan, Jones, and Tulloch seems to make sense and would shore up some major holes in the Rams defense.

by mcihaelT on Jan 23, 2012 2:53 PM CST reply actions

This is what the hiring of Fisher

brings to the Rams is the ability to immediately hire experienced coordinators and getting the staff in place. That is what concerned me about all the talk of hiring coordinators from other teams with no HC experience. Perhaps they may have been a good HC but they likely would have hired unproven and inexperienced coordinators.

by RamTeaPartier on Jan 23, 2012 3:32 PM CST reply actions

.. same can be said for players..

Look at the coaching talent he has drawn here already. Other than Brian Shottenheimer (who I am on the fence about.. and may well work out nicely), I am extremely happy with all of the moves thus far.

No more “tryouts”, let’s get some experienced people in here.

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by VTramsFan on Jan 23, 2012 4:12 PM CST up reply actions