OWINGS MILLS, Md. —
Former Terre Haute South High School football and basketball standout Cam Cameron was fired Monday as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, who have lost two straight and are still striving for consistency in the running and passing game.
The 51-year-old Cameron ran the Baltimore offense since the start of the 2008 season for coach John Harbaugh. Since that time, the Ravens’ attack has repeatedly taken a back seat to the team’s defense, and this year the offense ranks 18th with 344.4 yards per game.
Cameron, a 1979 South graduate, has one of the best win-loss records for offensive coordinators in the NFL, going 100-58 in 10 seasons with San Diego and Baltimore. He also served as head coach at Indiana University from 1997-2001, posting an 18-37 cumulative record, and was 1-15 in one season as head coach of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins in 2007.
Former Colts head coach Jim Caldwell will assume Cameron’s duties with the Ravens through the remainder of the season. Caldwell, fired after Indy’s 2-14 season in 2011, was hired as Ravens quarterbacks coach before the 2012 season.
The timing of the move is somewhat surprising because Baltimore remains on course for its second straight AFC North title — and fifth straight playoff appearance — despite being mired in its first losing streak since October 2009.
“It’s not about fair or unfair, right or wrong. My responsibility is to the whole team and what’s best for them right now,” Harbaugh said. “We need a change. Our plan and our goals are to win games, win our division and get to the playoffs.”
Harbaugh believes the move will enable the Ravens to reach those objectives.
“With our coaches and players, the solution is in the building,” he said. “We are going to make the most of our opportunities going forward, and this change gives us a better possibility to achieve our goals.”
Baltimore (9-4) scored seven points after halftime Sunday in a 31-28 overtime loss to the Washington Redskins. Quarterback Joe Flacco passed for only 182 yards, lost a fumble and was intercepted in the third quarter.
Baltimore’s running game ranks 17th in the NFL despite the presence of Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice, who has topped the 100-yard rushing mark only three times (compared to six times last year). Rice led the NFL in yards from scrimmage in 2011.
Flacco, meanwhile, has been erratic while operating the no-huddle attack and has showed little improvement from a year ago.
Flacco has committed pivotal turnovers in the last two games, but those defeats can be attributed heavily to the defense. Two weeks ago, the injury-riddled unit couldn’t stop Pittsburgh Steelers third-string quarterback Charlie Batch in a 23-20 loss, and the Redskins moved downfield rather easily during a beat-the-clock touchdown drive in the waning minutes of regulation.
After being fired as Miami’s head coach in 2007, Cameron was chosen by Harbaugh to run the Baltimore offense. The Ravens made the playoffs in each of his previous four seasons, and under his direction Flacco became the team’s career leader in passing yards, touchdowns and completions.
Harbaugh worked as an assistant coach for Cameron in 1997 at Indiana. After taking over for Brian Billick in Baltimore, one of his first moves was to hire Cameron.
“There is a very human side to this. Cam is my friend, he taught me a lot about coaching, and he is an outstanding coach,” Harbaugh said. “Personally, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do as a coach. Cam has been a significant contributor to all of our successes over the past four, almost five, seasons. Deservedly, he is highly-regarded, and we owe thanks to him for what he did for the Ravens.”
Caldwell, 57, was quarterbacks coach for Peyton Manning at Indianapolis before taking over as head coach. He will make his NFL debut as an offensive coordinator on Sunday against the Denver Broncos (9-4).
Cameron broke into coaching as a graduate assistant under Bo Schembechler at Michigan in 1983, and quickly became the Wolverines full-time receives and quarterbacks coach. He spent three seasons (1994 to ’96) as the Redskins’ quarterbacks coach, before taking over at IU as head coach of his college alma mater. At IU, like Terre Haute South, Cameron played two sports — playing backup quarterback for the Hoosiers’ gridiron squad, and then earning a roster spot on Coach Bob Knight’s Indiana basketball team.
At South, he starred in football under Coach Bob Clements, and also led the Braves’ basketball squad to three consecutive IHSAA Final Four berths.
Top Story
Related Photos
-
This May 30, 2012, file photo shows Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Cam Cameron at a news conference after an NFL football practice in Owings Mills, Md. Cameron has been fired as offensive coordinator of the Ravens, who have lost two straight and are still striving for consistency in the running and passing game. The move came Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. (AP File Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)
Discussion
Update: Ravens dismiss former South standout Cam Cameron as offensive coordinator
- Top Story
-
-
Court lets walk-out fines against House Democrats stand
INDIANAPOLIS — House Democrats who had to pay more than $100,000 in fines after they walked out of the Indiana Statehouse won’t get the help they sought from the Indiana Supreme Court.
-
Reputed Mafioso tip triggers new Hoffa body search
OAKLAND TOWNSHIP, Mich. — The FBI saw enough merit in a reputed Mafia captain’s tip to once again break out the digging equipment to search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, last seen alive before a lunch meeting with two mobsters nearly 40 years ago.
-
10 things to know for Tuesday
Your daily look at late-breaking Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about across the nation today:
-
Husband charged in Archer homicide
Terre Haute Police have found local reports of domestic violence between a Terre Haute man and his wife, whose body was discovered wrapped in a tarp and dumped in an Ohio ditch.
-
BREAKING: Arrest made in Archer homicide
A Terre Haute man has been arrested and charged with felony murder and altering the scene of a death in the homicide of his wife, Kayla Herchelroath Archer.
-
No ID yet on body found in Rosedale home
Sheriff Mike Eslinger said his department is waiting to obtain an immediate family’s confirmation of a woman found dead in a home in the 2900 block of West Rosehill Lane.
-
Police investigating Rosedale homicide
Parke County authorities are investigating a homicide at Rosedale.
Sheriff Mike Eslinger confirmed Friday afternoon that police had been called to a home in the 2900 block of West Rosehill Lane on a report of a dead person. -
Homicide suspect’s father: ‘I am so sorry’
The father of a Jasonville man charged with murder broke down in tears following his son’s appearance in Greene Superior Court on Friday morning.
-
BREAKING: Suspects in death of Linton teen arraigned in court
A week after Katelyn Wolfe went missing in Linton, the men accused of killing her appeared in court.
-
Katelyn Wolfe homicide: Affidavit alleges men’s scheme
Two friends from childhood allegedly had devised a plan over the course of about a week to rape and kill someone — without having a particular target — before causing Linton teenager Katelyn Wolfe’s death last week, according to court documents released Thursday.
-
End of an era: WTHI-TV anchor Allen has come long way since debut in 1967
Reflecting on his career at WTHI-TV, Jim Swander pokes fun at retiring news anchor Mark Allen saying, “He has made millions by reading a teleprompter at a sixth-grade level.”
-
Police: Suspects posted on Linton teen's Facebook page 'to cover their tracks'
Two childhood friends, over the course of about a week, allegedly devised a plan to rape and kill someone prior to the killing of Linton teenager Katelyn Wolfe, according to court documents released today.
-
UPDATE: 1 dead, 73 hurt in La. plant explosion
GEISMAR, La. — An ground-rattling explosion at a chemical plant in Louisiana ignited a blaze Thursday that killed at least one person and left dozens more hurt, officials said.
-
UPDATE: Suspect in late-night standoff arrested, to appear in court
A Terre Haute man wanted for a late Wednesday standoff with police has been arrested and is due to appear in court this morning.
-
No suspect found after Maple Avenue standoff
A man police identified as Jeremy Ross of Terre Haute remained at large late Wednesday night after reports of gunfire brought dozens of police to a Maple Avenue home for a multi-hour siege of an apartment house.
-
UPDATE: Semi overturns at Lyford; Mecca man airlifted to Indy hospital
A Parke County man was airlifted to Methodist Hospital this afternoon after he crashed his semitrailer on U.S. 41 just north of Lyford.
-
UPDATE: Missing Terre Haute woman found
A Terre Haute woman who was reported missing earlier today by the Greene County Sheriff’s Department has been found.
-
Analysts: Midwest drivers to see lower gas prices
LANSING, Mich. — The worst may be over for drivers in the upper Midwest who have been grappling with the highest gasoline prices in the continental U.S.
-
Unusually massive line of storms aim at Midwest
WASHINGTON — A gigantic line of powerful thunderstorms could affect one in five Americans on Wednesday as it rumbles from Iowa to Maryland packing hail, lightning and tree-toppling winds.
-
Coroner: Linton teen victim of homicide
Linton teenager Katelyn Wolfe died of asphyxiation in a “manner that is ruled a homicide” Linton Police Chief Troy Jerrell said Tuesday night after an autopsy was performed earlier in the day at Terre Haute Regional Hospital by forensic pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr.
-
Apple revamps look of iPhone, iPad software
SAN FRANCISCO — Apple is throwing out most of the real-world graphical cues from its iPhone and iPad software, like the casino-green "felt" of its Game Center app, in what it calls the biggest update since the iPhone's launch in 2007.
-
Feds back morning-after pill for all girls
NEW YORK — After setting off a storm of criticism from abortion rights groups upset that a Democratic president had sided with social conservatives, the Obama administration said it will comply with a judge's order to allow girls of any age to buy emergency contraception without prescriptions.
-
VIDEO: Apple unveils new MacBook Air with improved battery life
At Apple's WWDC, the company shows off its new line of MacBook Air laptops with faster processors and improved battery life. The new models are available in 11-inch and 13-inch dimensions, ranging in price from $999 to $1,299.
-
Fair Association highlights attractions
In less than a month, the Wabash Valley Fairgrounds will be awash in 4-H projects, carnival rides, cotton candy and entertainment as the 2013 Vigo County Fair runs July 7 to 13.
-
Ohio man faces 329 charges in missing women case
COLUMBUS, Ohio — A man accused of holding three women captive in his run-down home in Cleveland for a decade and fathering a child with one of them has been indicted on 329 charges including murder, kidnapping and rape, prosecutors said.
-
How will you spend your time this summer? Check out 'BASH for ideas
Art, music, reading -- What's your summer escape?
-
I-70 accident snarls traffic for hours
An accident involving a semi-trailer containing hazardous materials shut down eastbound Interstate 70 in Vigo County from near the Illinois state line to Indiana 46 for about six hours Thursday.
-
MARK BENNETT: Time for surf, sand and a good book
I can read a book on the beach. Until I start sweating. Then it feels like exercise, minus the fitness perks. My brain shifts into neutral as the waves roll in, blissfully washing away footprints in the sand and my inclination to think. Better put, I enjoy starting a book on the beach, and finishing it later, elsewhere.
-
Deacon Jones of famed Fearsome Foursome dead at 74
David “Deacon” Jones, the original sackmaster, has died.
The Hall of Fame defensive end, credited with coining the word “sack” for how he knocked down quarterbacks, was 74. -
Dugger couple claims big Hoosier Lottery prize
Linda and Joe Mentillo of Dugger have claimed a big Hoosier Lottery prize.
The 67-year-old Linda bought a winning $5 Cash For Life scratch-off ticket on Saturday at the Pimento Sunoco gasoline station. - More Top Story Headlines
-
Tiger on Sergio: 'It's Time to Move On'
Robot Action Connected to Human Thought
Rain Damages Brazil Soccer Stadium
NYC 911 Call Lasts for 8 Hours
Obama: US Has Helped Syrian Rebels
RAW: NSA Director Says 50 Plots Foiled
California Cops Cruise on Stand-up Paddle Patrol
Falling Cable Hurts 10 NASCAR Fans
Raw: 100K Protesters Flood Brazilian Streets
Afghan Forces Take Afghanistan Security Lead
Raw: First Lady, Daughters Enjoy Irish Sights
Obama: NSA Secret Data Gathering 'Transparent'
Transgender Candidate Running in NYC
Ex-NFL Star Chad Johnson Out of Jail
Man Who Disrupted Flight Ranted About CIA
Feds: 7-Eleven Stores Exploited Immigrants
Oklahoma City Thunder Players Tour Moore
Today in History June 18
Iran's Rowhani Urges 'Path of Moderation'
Boeing, Airbus Battle for Sales Supremacy
Inside Kim Kardashian's Premature Labor
Spurs' Popovich shows great frustration at post game presser
Raw: Huge Fire Near Yosemite National Park
Paige Butcher Scorches on Hawaii Beach
Video: worst way to load cargo onto a plane
Never-before-seen footage of '08 Times Square bomber
WATCH IT: Lil Wayne tramples American flag
Mariah Carey Looks Beautiful in a Tiny Cut-Out Swimsuit
Out of Control Boat Throws Passengers Overboard
See Lindsay Lohan in Rehab
Sofia Vergara Posts Perky Backside Pic in Thong
Gaga Ditches Her Crazy Couture
Caught on Tape: Teacher Accused of Beating Autistic Child
"Stay Classy" Campaign Aims to Curb Binge Drinking
Sesame Street Tackling Tough Topic Parents in Jail
Miss Utah Fumbles Interview Question
Deranged man claims Newark-bound flight was poisoned
Cameron Diaz and Kate Upton Show Off Their Amazing Bikini Bodies
