Rams News

Rams assistant Bud Carson quitting after 23 years in NFL

Defensive coach said health concerns led to retirement decision

By Steve Korte
Belleville News Democrat

ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Bud Carson, one of the NFLs greatest defensive architects, announced his retirement on Monday.
Rams coach Dick Vermeil named secondary coach Peter Giunta and linebackers coach John Bunting as codefensive coordinators for the 1998 season.
Carson, who will turn 67 on April 28, said health concerns led to his decision to retire.
"I guess the biggest reason I thought it was time to get out of this is that I just ran upstairs to get a hearing aid battery so I could come down and be able to hear any questions," Carson said.
Rams coach Dick Vermeil still had to repeat several reporter's questions to Carson during the press conference.
Carson also suffers from asthma -- an infliction that worsens during cold weather.
"You have to go full speed to get things done in a competitive environment like the NFL," Carson said. "I would still like to do it. I wish it was 10 years ago and I were in this situation. It would be a great opportunity for me or anyone. But, it's not 10 years ago and I just don't feel health-wise that I can do the job that Dick's program demands."
Carson coached 23 seasons in NFL, including 20 seasons as a defensive coordinator.
Carson was credited with building the Pittsburgh Steelers' famed "Steel Curtain" defense. He was an intrical part of the Steelers' Super Bowl Championships in 1975 and 1976.
During the 1976 season, the Steeler defense recorded five shutouts and allowed just two touchdowns in the their final nine games.
With Philadelphia from 1991-94, Carson turned the Eagles' defense into one of the most fearsome units in NFL history.
The Eagles became the fifth team to ever top the NFL in total defense, pass defense and rushing defense during the 1991 season.
Carson became the head coach of the Cleveland Browns in 1989. He led the Browns to a 9-6-1 record and a berth in the NFC Championship game, but was fired the next season after the Browns got off to a 2-7 start.
Under Carson, the Rams improved in 25 of 28 defensive categories last season. They ranked 17th in total defense, ninth in rushing defense and 17th in passing defense.
Giunta, 41, and Bunting, 47, are both Carson disciples. They both coached under Carson last season. Giunta also served under Carson with the Eagles.
"We are losing Bud Carson, but maybe we are gaining a younger Bud Carson in Peter Giunta and John Bunting," Vermeil said.
Vermeil said Giunta will have final authority over Bunting in any decisions.
"There still needs to be somebody from time to time who has to make the 51 percent vote," Vermeil said.
Giunta and Bunting took over the Rams' defense during a 34-27 victory over New Orleans late last season because Carson was recuperating from surgery to remove his gall-bladder.
"We worked together all last year and we're pretty good friends, so I don't see it as being any problem at all," Giunta said of sharing a job title with Bunting. "Hopefully, we can feed off those strengths and help each other out."
Carson will continue to work as a consultant for the Rams. "I have something invested in this and I'd like to play some small part in it if I could," Carson said.
Carson will continue to live in Sarasota, Fla., with his wife, Linda. He said he wasn't sure how he'd spend his free time.
Carson said the thing he'd miss most about coaching was game days.
"Sundays -- the pressure and decisions that have to be made then," Carson said. "That's the part I like most, like most coaches. I won't miss going to training camp, I tell you that."

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