Rams' special teams coach will not return

ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams will not renew the contract of special teams coach Bob Ligashesky, whose units have ranked near the bottom of the NFL.

A team spokesman said Thursday that coach Scott Linehan made the decision while scouting at the Senior Bowl. Ligashesky, 44, was with the Rams two seasons and was among three holdovers from the previous coaching staff.

The Rams were tied for 25th in punt returns, 26th in kickoff returns and 28th in kickoff coverage. The Bears' Devin Hester returned two kickoffs for touchdowns in December and Seattle's Nate Burleson had a punt return for touchdown in November.

Special teams have been a trouble area for several seasons for the Rams. Linehan had said at his season-ending news conference, though, that he didn't anticipate any changes on his coaching staff.

-- AP