RAMS CONFIRM SHURMUR AS OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR; FLAJOLE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

ST. LOUIS—St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo announced today the appointment of  Pat Shurmur as offensive coordinator and Ken Flajole as defensive coordinator. 

”Both of these coaches exemplify what we expressed at our news conference earlier this week,” said Spagnuolo.  “That is the four pillars:  Faith, Character, Core Values, and Team First.

“In addition, Pat and Ken are excellent teachers, which is what we are looking for in our staff.  Both come from outstanding, successful organizations.  We look forward to having them with the Rams as we get under way and go forward.”

Shurmur, whose uncle, Fritz Shurmur was a Rams coach from 1982-90, spent the last seven seasons as quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, a span in which QB Donovan McNabb earned three of his five Pro Bowl berths.  In 2008, McNabb finished among the top 10 in the NFL in attempts (571, fourth), completions (345, fifth), yards (3,916, seventh) and touchdowns (23, eighth).  His 345 completions and 3,916 passing yards set Eagles single-season team records. 

In 2004, Shurmur guided McNabb to the most productive season of his career, McNabb establishing franchise records in QB rating (104.7) and completion percentage (64.0).  McNabb also became the first quarterback in NFL history to have a season with 30-plus TD passes (31) and fewer than 10 interceptions (eight). 

Shurmur joined the Eagles staff in 1999.  He coached tight ends and with the offensive line from 1999-2001.  Prior to coming to Philadelphia, Shurmur spent 11 years as a college assistant coach at Stanford (1998) and Michigan State (1988-97).

Flajole (FLAY-juhl) spent six seasons as linebackers coach for the Carolina Panthers.LB Jon Beason earned his first Pro Bowl nomination in 2008.  Last season, Beason led the team for the second consecutive season, with 159 tackles and tied for the team lead with three interceptions.  His three interceptions were the most by a Panthers linebacker since current Rams’ LB Will Witherspoon collected four during the 2004 season.  In addition to earning his first trip to the Pro Bowl, Beason also named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October after helping Carolina to a 3-1 record while leading the team with 37 tackles and two interceptions.  He joins Sam Mills as the only linebackers in franchise history to win the award.

In 2004 Flajole-coached linebackers Dan Morgan and Mark Fields were named to the Pro Bowl.  In 2003, Flajole’s first season with Carolina, the Panthers advanced to the Super Bowl and Morgan set a team record with 25 tackles against the New England Patriots.

Flajole coached defensive backs and linebackers for Seattle from 199-2002 and in 1998 served as a defensive quality control coach for Green Bay.  Prior to coming to the NFL, Flajole spent 21 years coaching in the college ranks, including  five seasons (1989=-93) at the University of Missouri.