Martz - No interest in Dolphins' job vacancy

ST. LOUIS -- Scratch Mike Martz's name off the list of potential replacements for Dave Wannstadt in Miami.

The St. Louis Rams coach on Wednesday said there was no truth to a Miami Herald story that said he would be interested in the Dolphins' head coaching job if he was let go by the Rams. Despite an up-and-down season, St. Louis is 5-4 and tied for first in the NFC West.

Citing sources close to Martz, Seattle's Mike Holmgren and Denver's Mike Shanahan, the Herald article on Monday said the three would be interested in coaching the Dolphins next season if their current coaching situations did not work out.

Martz said he was "shocked" to learn of the report.

"There's no substance to it," he said. "I couldn't have a better job than the one I have here. I love it here, this is our home, and I have no desire to coach anyplace else."

Martz is in his fifth season as head coach of the Rams. He was offensive coordinator in 1999 for the team that won the Super Bowl and took over for Dick Vermeil in 2000.

Asked if there was any chance Martz would be available, Rams president John Shaw said, "Zero."

"I'm perplexed that there would be any speculation about his status," Shaw said. "He's averaged 10 wins a season as a head coach. How many victories did we average here before 1999? Five?"

The Rams went 22-42 in their first four seasons in St. Louis from 1995 to 1998. They were 13-3 in 1999 and won the Super Bowl with Vermeil as coach and Martz in his first season as offensive coordinator. Under Martz, they're 48-25.

"I think Mike's doing really well," Shaw said. "I feel that he has the team in position to compete for a playoff spot and win the division."