"He also got offered the offensive coordinator's job at the University of Minnesota, and opted to take the Tennessee job," Jim Haslett, the Rams' interim coach, said Wednesday. "Just being around him this short time, I think he's a good Football mind. The guy had a chance, if he would've stayed in the league, to grow into that position as a coordinator in this league. But it's probably best for him right now to take that job."

Another Rams assistant coach, Keith Murphy, also is leaving for the college ranks.

Murphy, 34, joined the Rams in 2007 and was the team's quality control-assistant special teams coach this past season.

He's headed to New Mexico State, where he will help with wide receivers and special teams.

"He's a tireless worker, and he's a good person," Haslett said. "He'll do a good job down there."

Chaney, 46, is a native of Warrensburg, Mo., and played college Football at Central Missouri State. He was part of Scott Linehan's initial Rams staff in 2006, serving as assistant offensive line coach in '06 and '07 before moving to tight ends in 2008.

Before coming to St. Louis, all of Chaney's coaching experience had come at the college level. He was offensive coordinator at Purdue from 1998 through 2005, and co-offensive coordinator in 1997. Over that span, the Boilermakers led the Big Ten in passing offense five times and were ranked in the top 10 nationally in total offense six times.

Tennessee is expected to make a formal announcement of Chaney's hiring over the next few days. Chaney could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

At Tennessee, Chaney will join a staff that includes head coach Lane Kiffin, who began 2008 as head coach of the Oakland Raiders, and defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, who left the same position with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to join his son.

Surgeries, surgeries

Tight ends Anthony Becht (elbow) and Joe Klopfenstein (knee) underwent surgery Tuesday. Becht had bone chips removed from his elbow; Klopfenstein had some lose material removed from his knee.

Defensive tackle La'Roi Glover is scheduled to undergo knee surgery to repair torn cartilage next week in San Diego. Linebacker Will Witherspoon needs surgery to repair rotator cuff damage in his shoulder, but so far no surgery has been scheduled.

Wide receiver Dane Looker apparently will try to rest and then strengthen his knee to avoid surgery for ligament damage.

Linebackers coach Mike Cox also underwent knee surgery earlier this week.

Rams sign six

Six members of the Rams' practice squad have been signed to the team's offseason roster: defensive end C.J. Ah You; defensive tackle Willie Williams; and wide receivers Travis Brown, Matt Caddell, Joel Filani and Nate Jones.