Knox’s Gold Taken From Fort; Rams Look For Coach

Chuck Knox, who failed to revitalize the Los Angeles Rams in his second tour of duty as their head coach, was fired Monday with one year remaining on his contract, the team said.

The Rams, expected to announce a move to St. Louis in the near future, lost their final seven games this season to finish 4-12.

Knox, 62, signed a four-year contract with the Rams on Jan. 8, 1992 as successor to John Robinson, but failed to change their fortunes as he had done with them in the 1970s. The Rams were 6-10 in 1992 and 5-11 in 1993.

In the final two years under Robinson, in 1990 and 1991, the Rams were 5-11 and 3-13. In 1989, they were 11-5 and advanced to the NFC Championship Game, where they lost to the San Francisco 49ers 30-3.

They’ll be back!

Each getting on in years and walking with a limp, Miami coach Don Shula and quarterback Dan Marino say they’ll be back next season.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Marino said. “If I have to play on one leg, I’ll play on one leg.” Marino is expected to fly to New York City soon tp consult with an orthopedic specialist about possible surgery on his sore right ankle.

Shula also quelled speculation he would take a frontoffice job with the NFL or the Dolphins next season.

Harper talking about next year

Dallas wide receiver Alvin Harper, who is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end, said he hopes the New York Giants will be one of the teams interested in him.

“They have a good, young team that I think in a couple of years will be great,” he said. “I think Mike Sherrard is a good player. If the money was right, I would go there. I think the Giants have a great organization.”

Broncos search continues

Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen spent 4 hours interviewing former Broncos offensive coordinator Jim Fassel for the team’s head coaching job. But Bowlen said he still wants to talk with San Francisco offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan and several other coaches.

Rain, rain, go away …

Heavy rains are driving the San Francisco 49ers out of state for their key practices leading up to Sunday’s NFC championship game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The team, which cut short its workout Monday because of rain, will leave tonight for Phoenix, where it will practice Wednesday and Thursday at the Arizona Cardinals’ facilities. The 49ers will return to practice at their Santa Clara headquarters on Friday.

More money needed

A $163 million bid by local investors seeking to buy the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and keep them in Tampa was rejected as too low a bid.