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St. Louis Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer is expected to get a look for one of the NFL's most recent head coaching vacancies. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN and Pete Prisco of CBS Sports, Schottenheimer is in the mix for the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching job.
Two candidates for the Jaguars HC job are expected to be 49ers OC Greg Roman and Rams OC Brian Schottenheimer.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 10, 2013
Roman Brian schottenheimer -- yes -- r two names mentioned with Caldwell
— Pete Prisco (@PriscoCBS) January 10, 2013
Schottenheimer got some consideration for the Jaguars head coaching job last year too. Jacksonville, under former GM Gene Smith, went with Mike Mularkey instead. Mularkey was fired on Thursday morning.
Jacksonville replaced Smith this week as well with former Falcons director of player personnel Dave Caldwell. Rams fans will recognize Caldwell's former title with Atlanta because he replaced Les Snead who was hired away by the Rams to be the general manager. That's an interesting connection in and of itself for the Rams. Caldwell was the college scouting director under Snead and GM Thomas Dimitroff before his 2012 promotion. The Rams and the Jaguars could be competing for some of the same free agents and draft picks.
Back to Schottenheimer. There is nothing at this point to suggest that he is finished in St. Louis. Greg Roman figures to be a very hot commodity on the coaching market. However, this isn't Schottenheimer's first rodeo with the Jaguars, which makes you wonder if owner Shad Khan, who is very involved with the team, sees something he likes in the offensive coordinator.
Schottenheimer's work with quarterbacks could have the Jaguars interested too. He made Mark Sanchez look reasonable competent and helped Sam Bradford approach something closer to his expected level of performance after a lost second season in 2011.
There are six head coaching jobs available right now. The NFL is a copy cat league run by tight-knit owners and executives. Don't be surprised if Schottenheimer gets some consideration elsewhere now that his name has popped onto the radar.
As for the Rams, changing offensive coordinators again leaves questions about Sam Bradford. If Schottey were to leave, Bradford would be working with his fourth offensive coordinator in as many years. Head coach Jeff Fisher has assured fans and the media, however, that the Rams will not be changing their offensive system, with or without Schottenheimer.