Ortmayer Leaves Raiders, Joins Rams as Vice President of Football Operations

In probably their last move as the Los Angeles Rams, the team hired Steve Ortmayer as vice president of football operations Monday. The Rams are expected to announce today that they’re moving to St. Louis.

“I feel this time in the Ram franchise history is a wonderful time to hit the ground running with some new aspects,” said Ortmayer, 50, who has been the Raiders’ special teams coach and director of football operations since 1990, his second tour of duty with the team.

Ortmayer also served as director of football operations for the San Diego Chargers from 1987-89, director of football operations for the Raiders from 1978-86 and special teams coach for the Kansas City Chiefs from 1975-77.

“It’s a good time to be involved with the Rams,” he said.

Ortmayer will be involved in hiring a new coach, but that might have to wait. More pressing matters include preparing for the 1995 draft and scouting the upcoming Indianapolis combine.

“I think one of the things I can help bring to the table is that I’ve been through this once before,” he said of the Rams’ impending move. “I came from Oakland (when the Raiders moved to Los Angeles) in ’82. I’ve been through it, so I understand how the mechanics work.”