Then he pondered a bit longer and said, "He does come up with some things for us."

Enough things that the St. Louis Rams have promised Martz the head coaching job when Dick Vermeil retires in 2001.

Martz, who turned the St. Louis offense into one of the most potent attacks in NFL history, agreed to a two-year contract extension with the team on Monday. Vermeil, who initiated the extension and Martz's eventual elevation, said he plans to fulfill the final two years of his deal. Then, the job belongs to Martz, whom Vermeil recruited from the Washington Redskins before the season.

The deal prohibits Martz from coaching anywhere else before taking over the Rams.

"When I first interviewed with Dick for the job, he made some statements that if things went well and we won ... his intention was the opportunity would be there for me," Martz said. "I love St. Louis, it's where I want to be."

He'll be there for the next two years under a renegotiated contract that includes a raise. Terms of the verbal deal, which the Rams said would be put in writing soon, were not available.

"Being in a position to work for Dick for the next few years and to get the opportunity to develop my skills for being a head coach" was enticing, Martz added.

He also dropped out of the running for any of the current NFL head coaching vacancies. Several teams expressed interest in talking to him once the Rams are done playing, which he found "flattering."

"I think it all has been a real distraction," Martz said. "It is my intention to stay here and this is what my family wants and I want.

"I am announcing that I am not a candidate for any other head coaching positions in the NFL. After meeting with coach Vermeil ... I believe my future as a head coach in the NFL will be with the St. Louis Rams."

Vermeil, 63, said Monday he has no intention of coaching beyond the 2001 season.

"I owe it to my wife, to my grandkids and myself (to retire then)," he said. "I don't want to see someone as qualified as Mike go somewhere else."

Martz, 48, was the quarterbacks coach with Washington before Vermeil offered him the offensive coordinator's job a year ago. In that role, he created a powerhouse that scored 526 points and got 49 in Sunday's NFC playoff victory over Minnesota.

When free-agent quarterback Trent Green, signed to a $16 million contract to run the offense, wrecked his knee in the preseason, Martz turned the reins to Kurt Warner. The untested Warner was so effective, he was selected as the NFL's Most Valuable Player.