Fassel is among Rams' coaching candidates

ST. LOUIS -- Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel is among the candidates the St. Louis Rams could interview for their head coaching vacancy this week.

General manager Billy Devaney received clearance over the weekend to speak with Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles and Cowboys wide receivers coach Ray Sherman.

Packers linebackers coach Winston Moss got the first interview Saturday. Devaney hopes to have a new coach in place by Jan. 24, the date of the Senior Bowl.

Interim coach Jim Haslett, who ended the season on a 10-game losing streak but impressed Devaney with an upbeat approach, will be among the finalists. Devaney said recently he'd not make a change just for change's sake.

"People can say 'Get rid of Haslett, hire the flavor of the month,"' Devaney said. "There's no guarantees."

NFL.com has reported the Rams and Fassel will meet Thursday. Fassel, 59, coached the Giants to the Super Bowl in 2000 and has been working as a radio analyst this season.

Fassel has a career record of 58-53-1 and last coached in the NFL in 2006, when he was fired as Ravens offensive coordinator. He was NFL Coach of the Year in 1997, his first year with the Giants.

An interview with Ryan may be pushed back until after Saturday's playoff game against the Titans. Ryan has been with the Ravens since 1999 and has produced one of the NFL's best defenses this decade.

Interviews with Frazier and Bowles will not have similar obstacles after Minnesota and Miami lost in the wild-card round. Frazier completed his 10th NFL coaching season after starring at cornerback on the Bears' 1985 Super Bowl championship team.

Bowles was Miami's secondary coach and assistant head coach last season after coaching the secondary with the Cowboys from 2005 to 2007.

Sherman has 21 years of NFL coaching experience, the last two working with Cowboys wide receivers.