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Raiders vacancy interests top aides
The Raiders' patience in finding a coaching replacement for Norv Turner has cost them the likes of Al Saunders and Rod Marinelli. At the same time, it will yield them a shot at landing the offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl champion.
Seattle Seahawks coordinator Gil Haskell said Tuesday that he is interested in meeting with Raiders owner Al Davis. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, too, gave every indication that he would welcome an overture from the lone NFL team without a coach.
League rules prevent the Raiders from contacting either until after Sunday's game in Detroit. They had an opportunity to do so earlier in the playoffs but spent that time pursuing the likes of former Kansas City offensive coordinator Saunders and former Tampa Bay defensive-line coach Marinelli.
Saunders moved to the Washington Redskins as offensive coordinator. Marinelli became Detroit's head coach. The Raiders also lost out on former St. Louis coach Mike Martz on Saturday, when he informed the team he wasn't interested in its vacancy two days after he interviewed for the position.
That leaves San Diego wide-receivers coach James Lofton and Raiders quarterbacks coach John Shoop as the only candidates still available who are known to have interviewed in person. Baltimore offensive coordinator Jim Fassel received a phone interview.
Haskell and Whisenhunt are considered two of the most attractive options for a team in need of a coach.
Haskell, 62, is the architect of the league's highest-scoring offense. He is credited with the development of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander during his six seasons with the Seahawks.
Seattle averaged 28.2 points in its 16 regular-season games. By comparison, the Raiders scored more than 21 only three times and averaged 18.1.
Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren has lobbied on Haskell's behalf. However, Haskell has not received any interview requests this year.
``Mike pushed it,'' Haskell told reporters Tuesday in Detroit. ``I really appreciate that. I've always wanted the opportunity. I'd love to talk (to the Raiders). No one's called. That's where it stands right now.''
Whisenhunt, 43, is the mastermind behind a Pittsburgh offense that outplayed all three of its playoff opponents -- the Cincinnati Bengals, the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.
On Tuesday, Whisenhunt praised the Raiders organization and sounded intrigued by the possibility of bolting the Steelers after the Super Bowl.
Source: Mercury News
Seattle Seahawks coordinator Gil Haskell said Tuesday that he is interested in meeting with Raiders owner Al Davis. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, too, gave every indication that he would welcome an overture from the lone NFL team without a coach.
League rules prevent the Raiders from contacting either until after Sunday's game in Detroit. They had an opportunity to do so earlier in the playoffs but spent that time pursuing the likes of former Kansas City offensive coordinator Saunders and former Tampa Bay defensive-line coach Marinelli.
Saunders moved to the Washington Redskins as offensive coordinator. Marinelli became Detroit's head coach. The Raiders also lost out on former St. Louis coach Mike Martz on Saturday, when he informed the team he wasn't interested in its vacancy two days after he interviewed for the position.
That leaves San Diego wide-receivers coach James Lofton and Raiders quarterbacks coach John Shoop as the only candidates still available who are known to have interviewed in person. Baltimore offensive coordinator Jim Fassel received a phone interview.
Haskell and Whisenhunt are considered two of the most attractive options for a team in need of a coach.
Haskell, 62, is the architect of the league's highest-scoring offense. He is credited with the development of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and running back Shaun Alexander during his six seasons with the Seahawks.
Seattle averaged 28.2 points in its 16 regular-season games. By comparison, the Raiders scored more than 21 only three times and averaged 18.1.
Seattle Coach Mike Holmgren has lobbied on Haskell's behalf. However, Haskell has not received any interview requests this year.
``Mike pushed it,'' Haskell told reporters Tuesday in Detroit. ``I really appreciate that. I've always wanted the opportunity. I'd love to talk (to the Raiders). No one's called. That's where it stands right now.''
Whisenhunt, 43, is the mastermind behind a Pittsburgh offense that outplayed all three of its playoff opponents -- the Cincinnati Bengals, the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos.
On Tuesday, Whisenhunt praised the Raiders organization and sounded intrigued by the possibility of bolting the Steelers after the Super Bowl.
Source: Mercury News