It's official: Cameron is on

BALTIMORE (Map, News) - In the end, Ravens coach John Harbaugh chose his mentor over his best friend.

The Ravens hired former Miami Dolphins head coach Cam Cameron at the team’s Owings Mills complex to be their offensive coordinator.

Cameron was fired after one season with the Dolphins, a disastrous 1-15 campaign. Cameron's lone win came against the Ravens Dec. 16 after his team had lost its first 13 games. But Miami’s 22-16 overtime victory was not enough to save Cameron's job, as he was fired on Jan. 4 by Bill Parcells, who the team recently hired as vice president.

The Dolphins’ victory over the Ravens likely signified the beginning of the end for former Ravens' coach Brian Billick. Billick was fired Dec. 31 after a season-ending win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The hiring of Cameron is Harbaugh's first as coach of the Ravens. The Ravens hired Harbaugh last Friday after 10 years as Philadelphia's special teams coach, and eventually, secondary coach.

Cameron hired Harbaugh for those same positions in 1997 when he was the head coach of Indiana University. A year later, Harbaugh left for the Eagles. Cameron was scheduled to meet with the St. Louis Rams later this week to interview for their offensive coordinator position.

Before being hired by the Miami, Cameron was the offensive coordinator of the San Diego Chargers. He worked with some of the biggest talents in the NFL, including LaDainian Tomlinson, Drew Brees and Antonio Gates.

Cameron will be in charge of revitalizing a stagnant offense that was ranked 22nd in the NFL this past season. The Ravens were plagued by injuries, turnovers and ineffective quarterback play during their 5-11 season.

Cameron is considered a quarterback specialist.

It appeared Harbaugh was going to hire his longtime friend and fellow Eagles' coach Pat Shurmur earlier this week. Shurmur was considered a hot coaching prospect after nine years with Philadelphia, including the past six as quarterbacks coach.

The Ravens are also waiting to hear on the future of former defensive coordinator Rex Ryan, who was turned down by the Atlanta Falcons for their head coaching job Wednesday.

The Falcons hired Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith, who was an assistant for the Ravens from 1999 through 2001.

Ryan was fired along with all of Billick’s assistants Dec. 31 after helping shape one of the top defenses in the NFL. Ryan also interviewed with the Ravens to succeed Billick in Baltimore, but was not brought in for a second interview.

The Ravens would like to bring Ryan back as defensive coordinator, and he is still under contract with the team for next season. The Washington Redskins and New York Jets are reportedly interested in Ryan as their coordinator.

mpalmer@baltimoreexaminer.com

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