Archives for January 8, 2004

‘When Reese announced his resignation Tuesday after six seasons at Texas, it set in motion a chain of events that could return Gray to Texas, where he was an All-America safety in 1983 and 1984. Gray said Wednesday he is very interested in becoming the Longhorns’ new defensive coordinator, but he understandably remains hopeful that he will land the vacant head coaching position with the Buffalo Bills after a solid three-hour interview with General Manager Tom Donahoe. After all, Gregg Williams, who was fired by the Bills as head coach after going 17-31 in three seasons, was making $900,000 a year. No college pays that much for a defensive coordinator. Not yet anyway.’

Levy is a Chicago guy. He has analyzed the Bears, written about them. He knows Bear weather, and in similar stuff, he took the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls. And he wants the job. So why don’t the Bears seem to be interested in him? He’s 78.’

‘Gray, an All-American at Texas in 1983-84, said he has no interest in rejoining Williams, who was hired Wednesday as the Washington Redskins’ defensive coordinator, as a position coach. Gray indicated that he’s interested only in NFL jobs as a defensive coordinator or head coach.’

‘Presuming Fassel is not invited back for another interview, the Bills probably are looking at Dick Jauron, Charlie Weis or Mularkey as the top candidates among those already interviewed.’

‘The next step, Donahoe said, is sharing all the information on the candidates he has collected with team owner Ralph Wilson and assistant general manager Tom Modrak for their input and advice. That step begins Thursday morning. After all the data has been crunched and the questions answered, only then will Donahoe present a contract offer to somebody, he said.’

‘Coughlin had arranged to interview the recently fired Buffalo Bills coach, Gregg Williams, last Friday, but Williams called Coughlin on Wednesday morning to tell him he would become Joe Gibbs’s defensive coordinator in Washington.’

‘Fassel is due $2.7 million next season, and he’ll get all of it if he doesn’t find another job. He tried to set up an interview with the Bears, but doesn’t appear to be in their plans. There are also openings in Oakland and Atlanta, but they aren’t interested.’

‘Herman Edwards acknowledged that Williams, whom he interviewed last Friday for the same job, was “high on our list.” Instead of pouncing on Williams, the most qualified candidate, Edwards proceeded to interview other coaches.’

‘This past Monday Fassel was in Buffalo interviewing for the Bills vacancy. A scheduled interview with the Bears was put on hold but might come next week.’

‘Williams, recently fired as the Bills’ head coach, interviewed with Herman Edwards last Friday and was not only considered very high on the list to replace Ted Cottrell at defensive coordinator but he was believed to be the team’s top choice. Sources inside Weeb Ewbank Hall yesterday characterized Edwards as disconcerted by the news of Williams going to Washington, indicating that Williams was the coach he was targeting.’

‘Coach Herman Edwards acknowledged disappointment but said he never offered Williams the job. Edwards preferred to interview other candidates rather than make a hasty decision. “If you only interview one guy, you never learn about the other four guys,” he said. “To me, they’re all in the mix and they’re all really good coaches.”‘

‘Coughlin was to interview former Bills coach Gregg Williams tomorrow and probably would have hired him, but Joe Gibbs’ Redskins signed Williams yesterday.’

‘”I just think that obviously that’s what the Redskins wanted to do and they felt they wanted to pull the trigger at that point on the coach and the coordinator, and they did it,” Jets coach Herman Edwards said.’

‘The Jets interviewed Williams – fired last week as Buffalo’s head coach – last weekend and he appeared to be the leading candidate. But by waiting until interviewing all candidates before making a decision, the Jets allowed the Redskins and brand new coach Joe Gibbs to swoop in and get Williams.’

‘Crennel’s best shot figures to be with Chicago, because of his previous professional relationship with general manager Jerry Angelo, or Atlanta, where he has the admiration of new general manager Rich McKay. Weis is considered to be at or near the top of the list in Buffalo because of his offensive expertise, history with Drew Bledsoe, and the possibility of the Bills weakening a division rival.’