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Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga wants to talk with LSU coach Nick Saban again before offering anyone the team's coaching job. Saban interviewed with Huizenga last week and is the front-runner to become the sixth coach in Dolphins history.
Former Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell interviewed Monday, and Dolphins interim coach Jim Bates interviewed Tuesday.
Emerging from his meeting with Bates, Huizenga declined to say whether there are other candidates. But he said the Dolphins weren't ready to make an offer.
"We still have a lot of work to do," Huizenga said. "We just have to figure out how soon we can get it done. Hopefully it won't be too much longer."
Huizenga said he and team president Eddie Jones want to talk again with Saban as a follow-up to their discussions with him at his home in Baton Rouge, La.
"There are some questions we didn't ask then that we now feel we should ask," Huizenga said. "They're not negative. We might even do that on the telephone."
Bates strengthened his case Monday night when the Dolphins scored two touchdowns in the final 2:07 and upset New England 29-28. With the improbable comeback, Miami (3-11) improved to 2-3 since coach Dave Wannstedt resigned.
"It says a lot about the team," quarterback A.J. Feeley said. "It says a lot about coach Bates... The guys in the locker room adore him."
Players say Bates has brought an infectious enthusiasm to the job that has kept the Dolphins from quitting on the season. When Arturo Freeman made an interception in the final minute to clinch Monday's victory, he was greeted on the sideline by Bates with a flying chest bump.
The 58-year-old coach said he didn't fear hurting himself.
"I was worried about hurting Arturo," Bates said jokingly.
Huizenga praised the work of Bates, who might return to his former job as defensive coordinator if Saban is hired.
"We've interviewed three people so far," Huizenga said, "and every one of them has been very impressive. I was really surprised with Art Shell. He is really a great guy, and we had a lot of laughs with him."
The Dolphins are also searching for a president to succeed Jones, who plans to retire this spring.
"We have interviewed several people," Huizenga said. "A couple of people we've interviewed have been very impressive. We still have a couple of more on the list."
Among the candidates is Bryan Wiedmeier, who has been with the Dolphins for 24 seasons and is executive vice president.
Bates last held a head coaching job in 1985, when he led the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL. His only other stint as a head coach was in 1969-71 at Sevier County High School in Tennessee.
But the longtime defensive assistant has worked with such successful coaches as Bill Belichick, Frank Kush and Johnny Majors. He even has ties with Saban - both were assistants with the Cleveland Browns in 1991-93.
"I have a tremendous amount of confidence in what I can do," Bates said.
Source: AP
Former Oakland Raiders coach Art Shell interviewed Monday, and Dolphins interim coach Jim Bates interviewed Tuesday.
Emerging from his meeting with Bates, Huizenga declined to say whether there are other candidates. But he said the Dolphins weren't ready to make an offer.
"We still have a lot of work to do," Huizenga said. "We just have to figure out how soon we can get it done. Hopefully it won't be too much longer."
Huizenga said he and team president Eddie Jones want to talk again with Saban as a follow-up to their discussions with him at his home in Baton Rouge, La.
"There are some questions we didn't ask then that we now feel we should ask," Huizenga said. "They're not negative. We might even do that on the telephone."
Bates strengthened his case Monday night when the Dolphins scored two touchdowns in the final 2:07 and upset New England 29-28. With the improbable comeback, Miami (3-11) improved to 2-3 since coach Dave Wannstedt resigned.
"It says a lot about the team," quarterback A.J. Feeley said. "It says a lot about coach Bates... The guys in the locker room adore him."
Players say Bates has brought an infectious enthusiasm to the job that has kept the Dolphins from quitting on the season. When Arturo Freeman made an interception in the final minute to clinch Monday's victory, he was greeted on the sideline by Bates with a flying chest bump.
The 58-year-old coach said he didn't fear hurting himself.
"I was worried about hurting Arturo," Bates said jokingly.
Huizenga praised the work of Bates, who might return to his former job as defensive coordinator if Saban is hired.
"We've interviewed three people so far," Huizenga said, "and every one of them has been very impressive. I was really surprised with Art Shell. He is really a great guy, and we had a lot of laughs with him."
The Dolphins are also searching for a president to succeed Jones, who plans to retire this spring.
"We have interviewed several people," Huizenga said. "A couple of people we've interviewed have been very impressive. We still have a couple of more on the list."
Among the candidates is Bryan Wiedmeier, who has been with the Dolphins for 24 seasons and is executive vice president.
Bates last held a head coaching job in 1985, when he led the San Antonio Gunslingers of the USFL. His only other stint as a head coach was in 1969-71 at Sevier County High School in Tennessee.
But the longtime defensive assistant has worked with such successful coaches as Bill Belichick, Frank Kush and Johnny Majors. He even has ties with Saban - both were assistants with the Cleveland Browns in 1991-93.
"I have a tremendous amount of confidence in what I can do," Bates said.
Source: AP