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Sean Payton Reportedly to Become Raiders' New Coach
Al Davis has a history of not hiring high-profile coaches. Apparently, that trend will continue.
The Dallas Morning News reported on its web site Tuesday night that the Oakland Raiders will make Dallas Cowboys assistant Sean Payton their next coach.
According to the newspaper, Payton is expected to sign a four-year, $1.3 million contract. He spent much of Sunday and Monday interviewing with Davis, the Raiders' renegade owner.
Payton, 40, would become the NFL's youngest head coach. If wide receiver Jerry Rice returns to the club, he would be a year older than Payton.
The hiring also would complete a remarkable career rehabilitation for Payton, who as New York Giants offensive coordinator was stripped of his play-calling duties midway through the 2002 season.
This season, Payton was on Bill Parcells' staff with the Cowboys, overseeing the team's passing game while working with quarterbacks.
Hiring a relative unknown is nothing new for Davis. In 1998, he made Jon Gruden the youngest coach in NFL history at 34.
Gruden went 40-28 in four seasons and led the Raiders to an appearance in the AFC championship game before leaving over differences with Davis following the 2001 season.
In Oakland, Payton would replace Bill Callahan, who was fired one season after leading the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1984.
In 2003, the Raiders went 4-12 and tied for last place in the AFC West. Callahan also drew the wrath of many of his veteran players for his unapproachable attitude.
With the Raiders, Payton would inherit one of the NFL's oldest teams and a club that is expected to have major salary cap problems. Oakland owns the second pick in April's draft.
Source: AP
The Dallas Morning News reported on its web site Tuesday night that the Oakland Raiders will make Dallas Cowboys assistant Sean Payton their next coach.
According to the newspaper, Payton is expected to sign a four-year, $1.3 million contract. He spent much of Sunday and Monday interviewing with Davis, the Raiders' renegade owner.
Payton, 40, would become the NFL's youngest head coach. If wide receiver Jerry Rice returns to the club, he would be a year older than Payton.
The hiring also would complete a remarkable career rehabilitation for Payton, who as New York Giants offensive coordinator was stripped of his play-calling duties midway through the 2002 season.
This season, Payton was on Bill Parcells' staff with the Cowboys, overseeing the team's passing game while working with quarterbacks.
Hiring a relative unknown is nothing new for Davis. In 1998, he made Jon Gruden the youngest coach in NFL history at 34.
Gruden went 40-28 in four seasons and led the Raiders to an appearance in the AFC championship game before leaving over differences with Davis following the 2001 season.
In Oakland, Payton would replace Bill Callahan, who was fired one season after leading the Raiders to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1984.
In 2003, the Raiders went 4-12 and tied for last place in the AFC West. Callahan also drew the wrath of many of his veteran players for his unapproachable attitude.
With the Raiders, Payton would inherit one of the NFL's oldest teams and a club that is expected to have major salary cap problems. Oakland owns the second pick in April's draft.
Source: AP
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