Rams eye Gregg Williams as DC

— -- ST. LOUIS -- The St. Louis Rams plan to hire Gregg Williams as defensive coordinator after firing Tim Walton, league sources told ESPN.

The Rams announced Wednesday that Walton had been fired after only one season in the job.

"I would like to thank Tim for his hard work and contributions to our defense," coach Jeff Fisher said in a statement. "I wish him well in the future."

Walton's lone season in St. Louis was something of a tumultuous one. The defense got off to a rocky start in losses to Atlanta, Dallas and San Francisco, and rumors persisted later in the year that Fisher had taken on a larger role in calling the defense.

By the end of the season, the Rams ranked 15th in yards allowed per game and 13th in points allowed. Walton often drew criticism for lack of aggression in coverage, a criticism buoyed by the Rams allowing a 68.1 percent completion rate, tied for worst in the league.

The Rams will now be searching for a third defensive coordinator in as many seasons under Fisher. Walton replaced Williams, who never actually made it to St. Louis to coach before being suspended for his role in the bounty scandal in New Orleans.

Williams' son, Blake, was the de facto coordinator in 2012 before he was relieved of his duties following the season. The Rams all but signed Rob Ryan to the job last year before he had a last-minute change of heart.

Former Detroit coach Jim Schwartz seemed a logical possible replacement given his ties to Fisher, but he took the defensive coordinator job in Buffalo.