There are market forces to be reckoned with for Rams
Search continues for new coach but pool of candidates is reduced, could keep shrinking.
A day after the Rams interviewed Doug Marrone, the Jacksonville Jaguars on Monday hired him as their coach.
It was no surprise: Marrone finished the season as the Jaguars’ interim coach and previously coached the Buffalo Bills.
But it marks the first offseason hire of an NFL head coach, leaving the Rams as one of five teams still searching in what quickly could become a shrinking market — at least of NFL assistants.
The Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, San Diego Chargers and Bills also are searching for coaches.
The Rams had no interviews scheduled Monday but are expected to conduct several this week, including one with Miami defensive coordinator Vance Joseph.
The Rams also could conduct a second round of interviews with candidates whose teams did not make the playoffs, such as Washington offensive coordinator Sean McVay.
McVay, 30, interviewed with the 49ers on Monday. He is the grandson of former 49ers executive John McVay, who was part of five Super Bowl-winning efforts.
The Rams have yet to interview Atlanta offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, regarded as a top candidate for several openings.
After snowy weather forced the cancellation of an interview with Shanahan last Saturday, the Rams rescheduled for this Sunday, the day after the Falcons’ divisional playoff game against the Seattle Seahawks at the Georgia Dome.
The Rams have interviewed McVay, Marrone, Rams interim Coach John Fassel, Carolina secondary coach Steve Wilks, Arizona offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin, New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, New England defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and Buffalo interim Coach Anthony Lynn.
McDaniels also interviewed with the Jaguars and 49ers.
“I feel very fortunate to have even the opportunity to sit in front of those people,” McDaniels said Monday during a teleconference with reporters that was posted on the Patriots’ website. He added, “Just try to do the best you can and represent yourself, your team, the organization you come from, your family . . . and all the rest of it will play out how it’s supposed to play out.”