The St. Louis Rams have hired former New Orleans Saints head coach Jim Haslett as their new defensive coordinator. In addition, the team hired former Detroit Lions quarterbacks coach Greg Olson as their offensive coordinator. The new staff was hired by Scott Linehan, who was named the team's new head coach recently.

"I was lucky to be able to get these guys," Linehan said in a conference call. "They're exactly what I was looking for."

Haslett was fired as the Saints head coach after going 45-51 with them during six seasons. His team only made one playoff appearance, and struggled last year due to Hurricane Katrina. Haslett was a candidate to become the Buffalo Bills new head coach, but that job went to Dick Jauron.

The Rams had the 30th ranked defense last year, meaning Haslett has a lot of work to do. Linehan understands that Haslett may only work for the Rams for a year or two so that he can pursue head coaching once again.

"He gets another head coaching job, that's a good thing," Linehan said. "That means we've done well. My job is to hire a good staff under Jim so that we can promote from within."

Olson will not directly call the offenses plays because Linehan, an offensive mastermind, will do that. However, Olson will still give plenty of input.

"Calling the plays is one thing," Linehan said. "But on a day to day basis, implementing the plan and evaluating the personnel as an entire group, he'll have a big input."