ST. LOUIS STUNNER: VERMEIL HIRED : FORMER UCLA COACH RETURNS AFTER 15 YEARS.Byline: Bill Schlotter Daily News Staff Writer Fifteen years after resigning as head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, a self-described victim of ``burnout,'' Dick Vermeil will return to the NFL today as coach of the St. Louis Rams. Rams president John Shaw confirmed the selection Monday following broadcast reports that Vermeil would be hired. ``I'm quite pleased with the candidate,'' Shaw said. ``He's an excellent coach, high energy, smart.'' A public announcement and press conference are expected today. Vermeil, 60, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to the 1981 Super Bowl but has been out of coaching since 1982, will be given total control of the team. Shaw said he wasn't concerned about Vermeil's lengthy absence from the game. ``Not in the least,'' Shaw said. ``I have every belief in the world that he has as much energy as anybody we interviewed and he is a much better leader than, I think, all of the other candidates.'' Contacted by CNN, Vermeil said, ``I feel like I've woken up in a dream.'' The Rams never included Vermeil on their public list of candidates to replace Rich Brooks, who was fired following a 6-10 1996 season. Among those interviewed for the job were Jim Mora, Bobby Ross, Kevin Gilbride, Pete Carroll and Emmitt Thomas. The position was also offered to former 49ers coach George Seifert. But according to minority owner Stan Kroenke, Vermeil was Shaw's first choice all along, just as he has been every time the team's head job has been open during the past decade. Shaw first approached Vermeil about two months ago, according to Rams vice president Bob Wallace. Reports of Vermeil's hiring came as a surprise to many watching the Rams coaching situation. After losing to other teams in its bids to get Ross and Gilbride and being turned down by Seifert, the club was believed to have made Mora its top next choice. Shaw had said as late as Monday morning that he wanted the matter resolved before leaving Thursday for the Super Bowl and that he expected to hire Mora by the middle of the week. ``I'd like to get this done,'' Shaw said. ``But there are no guarantees.'' Vermeil's hiring is also surprising because of his long hiatus aortic hiatus the opening in the diaphragm through which the aorta and thoracic duct pass. esophageal hiatus the opening in the diaphragm for the passage of the esophagus and the vagus nerves. pleuroperitoneal hiatus from coaching. In the 1970s, Vermeil was considered one of the hottest young coaches around. In 1975, he took UCLA to the Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl victory over Ohio State. And with the Eagles from 1976 through 1982, he compiled a 57-51 record, leading the team to the playoffs four consecutive years from 1978-81, including the Super Bowl season that ended with a 27-10 loss to the Oakland Raiders in the championship game. But a workaholic lifestyle that included sleeping in his office after long days at work caught up with Vermeil in 1982. And following a 3-6 campaign in that strike-shortened season, he resigned because of burnout. He soon landed a job in broadcasting and has been a television commentator ever since, most recently with ABC. Vermeil was on the verge of a return to coaching in 1995 with the Eagles before contract talks fell through. Owner Jeff Lurie broke off negotiations, saying too many problems remained unresolved. Returning to coaching after such a long absence is highly unusual. Bud Wilkinson also returned after a 15-year hiatus, leaving Oklahoma in 1963 and coming back as coach of the St. Louis Cardinals in 1978. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, Chart Photo: (1--color) VERMEIL (2) After a 15-year hiatus, Dick Vermeil returns to coaching today with the St. Louis Rams. Daily News File Photo Chart: HE'S BACK |
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