Cameron bolts: Offensive coordinator named new head coach of Dolphins
By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | ∞
Chargers Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron has been hired as new head coach for the Miami Dolphins.
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SAN DIEGO ---- The Chargers' high-octane offense helped motor Cam Cameron to Miami.
The Dolphins named Cameron, the Chargers' offensive coordinator since 2002, as their head coach on Friday. Cameron, who had also interviewed with the Atlanta Falcons and Arizona Cardinals, was the club's choice after it considered at least 13 candidates.
"We're excited for him,'' Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer said. "He is a terrific football coach and a terrific person. He richly deserves this in my opinion, and he has done it in the right way.''
There was little askew with Cameron's No. 4-ranked offense this season, setting a team mark with 492 points and pacing the NFL in scoring. Blessed with a powerful running game behind league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson, All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates' skills and Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers' precision passing, Cameron helped the team to its second AFC West title in three years and an NFL-best 14-2 regular-season showing.
When the Chargers' season abruptly ended with last Sunday's loss to New England, the Dolphins pounced on Cameron, summoning him for a second interview on Wednesday.
After marathon meetings with the team's top brass, Cameron agreed to a four-year contract.
"He definitely is committed to winning ... and we are committed to winning, whatever it takes, whatever it costs, we want to win," Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga told the Miami media. "He wants to win and he wants to be successful. He has the same driving passion that we do."
It marks Cameron's first head-coaching stint in the NFL; he was also the Redskins' quarterbacks coach from 1994-96. He directed the Indiana University program from 1997-2001, going 18-37.
Cameron, 45, was credited with the development of ex-Charger Drew Brees, the All-Pro quarterback now in New Orleans, and Rivers.
"I think he played a major role,'' Schottenheimer said.
Now Cameron undertakes a massive undertaking in resurrecting the floundering Dolphins.
"It's my job to make this personnel work and find a way to score," Cameron said.
Rivers said Cameron is the man to do it.
"Cam has had a tremendous impact on me as a young quarterback,'' said Rivers, who threw 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions in his first year as a starter.
"He brings a lot of knowledge with both the game-planning and the system that he runs. He had a lot to do with my success this year.''
Cameron replaces Nick Saban, who went 6-10 in his second of two years in Miami before fleeing for Alabama. Among the reasons Miami turned to Cameron is its dreadful offense, which averaged 16.3 points per game, its lowest output since 1967.
Schottenheimer expects Cameron's innovative ways to change that.
"I used to stick my head in the (offensive ) room down there and wonder what we were doing,'' Schottenheimer said of Cameron. "And he always had a good answer.''
Even when Cameron shocked Schottenheimer last month, when the Chargers were perched at the Denver 4. It was time for some trickery, by the name of the "Bumerooski".
"I said, 'You got to be out of your mind,' '' Schottenheimer said. "And he said, 'No, Coach, this is a team you can run it against. They are not a penetrating team, they move laterally, and that'll enable this play to work.' He knows what he is doing.''
Rivers adds there's more to the creative Cameron than "X's" and "O's".
"He's a great motivator,'' Rivers said. "He has a great understanding of the game in all phases. He really has the demeanor about him that exudes a lot of confidence. I think his players feed off of that."
Schottenheimer has done preliminary work in filling Cameron's post. He will consider offensive assistants on his staff, including James Lofton (receivers), Rob Chudzinski (tight ends) and Clarence Shelmon (running backs).
"Right now, we're going to look at all of our options,'' Schottenheimer said.
"We'd like to keep the system in place. It is sound and has proven to be successful. We don't want our players to have to learn a new system.
"I'm going to sit back and not rush into anything. I'm going to look in-house first. We have our work cut out to replace Cam."
Lofton, according to Schottenheimer, is out of the running for the Raiders' head-coaching vacancy. Chudzinski was granted permission recently to speak with the Browns regarding their offensive coordinator opening.
Another possibility could be Schottenheimer's son, Brian, the New York Jets' offensive coordinator. He also interviewed for the Miami job before pulling his name from consideration. It's unclear if the Jets would allow the Chargers' former quarterbacks coach to return in what would be a lateral move.
Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.
Yes ! wrote on Jan 19, 2007 5:58 PM:Excellent he who utilized Tomlinson 9 times in the 2nd half of that debacle is gone, I wish him the best. Lets hope his replacement has Super thought power.
Marco wrote on Jan 20, 2007 8:08 AM:Good luck Cameron!!, now lets get someone who runs some kinf of offensive game with a little more time control and uses both LT and Turner while streching the field with the wide recivers to give some room for Gates to create some magic.
James wrote on Jan 20, 2007 11:05 AM:Hey Marco, Nice thoughts but Turner is gone. Chargers will have to match a huge restricted free-agent contract offer because basically he is the number one running back available free-agent or draft. The only good thing is we will get some top picks for him in a sign and trade or through compensation rules.
Robert V (Chula Vista) wrote on Jan 20, 2007 1:05 PM:No big upset, but a great welcome, in loosing Cam Cameron who brought years of unimaginative limited play calling handed down from the Mike Riley, Kevin Gilbride play books. Coach Chudzinski, would be a nice fit but he's gone to Cleveland. Perhaps if Schottenheimer didn't have one year of his original contract there would be some stability. Maybe there's a lot more to the Schottenheimer debacle in Chargerland than we're lead to believe? This might explain the high probability of a head coaching & staff by next season. I hope the team of Steve Mariucci and Mike Martz have their bags packed to come to Chargerland. What an offensive blitzkrig with Superbowl experience, that would bring to the potency of the Chargers!!!
scottdee wrote on Jan 20, 2007 1:46 PM:I'm still not completely convinced Turner and Edwards are gone..Cameron was unimaginative compared to many OCs in the league and now he has his hands full in Miami with no QB, no offense, and an aging D..I, too, would like to see more 2 back offense and when was the last time we saw the Chargers run a wide receiver screen..Our weaknesses are the passing game and defending the other team's passing game so I doubt Marty will hire from within..Mooch is more viable than Martz at this point as he brings more confidence and enthusiasm to the passing game than Martz.
Already looking forward to the draft wrote on Jan 20, 2007 5:48 PM:Marty will hire from within. It will be Ramsdell or Lofton. Due to the fact there is a salary cap Edwards & Turner are as good as gone. Hopefully we get a 1st round pick for Turner & use it on a Safety or a Speedy WR. We are going to be so good even Marty won`t be able to mess it up this time, Damn it!!
Bosum wrote on Jan 22, 2007 9:06 AM:I thought we were miles below the salary cap. Aint this what AJ is supposed to be good at??? I wonder about Neal though. We might need to get a no-neck in there and that might cost us Turner. No sweat that Cameron is gone - there are lots of candidates out there (but please god - not Marty's son..). Although I hate any good fortune shining on the Mannings - I couldn't stop laughing at last night's game. 38 points in the second half - some genius.
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