National Football League

Fisher is Rams' new head coach

Published Jan. 13, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

Jeff Fisher has made his choice, deciding to become the head coach of the St. Louis Rams.

The Rams confirmed, saying they are finalizing a deal and that Fisher will be joining the team, as reported earlier by FOXSports.com

The former coach of the Tennessee Titans was the top candidate of both the Rams and Miami Dolphins. The decision came after several days of deliberation by Fisher, who interviewed with both teams last week.

News that Fisher had accepted the job in St. Louis ended more than a week of speculation following efforts by both the Rams and Dolphins to land the former Tennessee Titans coach.

"The process has been lengthy, but for good reasons," Fisher told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "I took a lot of time looking at and exploring in detail the non-economic issues of both clubs."

Fisher reportedly told Rams billionaire owner Stan Kroenke he wanted the job Thursday. The team has yet to make an official announcement.

St. Louis was believed to be the more attractive destination due to the presence of young quarterback Sam Bradford, combined with the Rams having significant salary cap space, while owning the second overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.

"I'm really excited that the Rams are the best fit for me," Fisher told the Post-Dispatch. "I hope I'm the best fit for the Rams, and am looking forward to finalizing the details and coming to work."

Kroenke fired coach Steve Spagnuolo and general manager Billy Devaney last week following a joint-NFL worst 2-14 season. Kroenke has yet to hire Devaney's replacement.

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross had been hoping to lure Fisher to Miami after Ross fired embattled head coach Tony Sparano with three games remaining on the 2011-12 schedule.

The Miami Herald reported last week Ross was prepared to top any offer tabled for Fisher's services.

Ross issued a statement Friday saying the Dolphins still "have a plan in place to identify, evaluate, and select individuals who we believe would be strong candidates to be our head coach, and that process continues."

Fisher, 53, parted ways with the Titans last January after more than 16 seasons, during which he established Tennessee as a regular playoff contender and took the 1999 team to the Super Bowl, losing 23-16 to the Rams.

Fisher was 142-120 in 16 seasons with the Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans franchise. His teams were 5-6 in the playoffs.

NewsCore contributed to this report.