The St. Louis Rams hired another coach to fill out Jeff Fisher's staff. On Tuesday morning, John Glennon reported that the Rams hired former Titans' defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil as their new defensive backs coach.
Cecil got his start in coaching under Jeff Fisher, joining his Titans' staff in 2001 as a defensive assistant. In 2004, he was moved to safety and nickel back coach, an unusual and very specific title. In 2007 and 2008, his duties incorporated all defensive backs, and was promoted to coordinator in 2009. He was let go following a disappointing 2010 season.
During his playing years, Cecil was a hard-hitting safety hailed for his intensity. Those same qualities contributed to his success as a defensive backs coach with the TItans. During his time there, the Titans converted a number of middle- and late-round defensive backs into NFL contributors, including Cortland Finnegan.
The folks over at Music City Miracles, SB Nation's Titans site, praised Cecil's work as a defensive backs coach.
He has a big job ahead of him in St. Louis, inheriting a corps of players wracked by injuries last season. It should be a big help for young players like Josh Gordy and Jerome Murphy. There are big question marks as to whether Bradley Fletcher and Ron Bartell will return to the same high level of play after devastating injuries, including a third ligament tear for Fletcher and a broken neck for Bartell.
Cecil's hiring might also be helpful in luring Cortland Finnegan to St. Louis. The Rams are widely expected to pursue Finnegan in free agency this year.
In his last year as defensive coordinator, Cecil made waves for flipping off the refs in a game against the Broncos. Video of his finger going up after the jump.
And here he is making a big hit during his playing days.