Archives for January 2004

‘Fassel has an interview today with the Buffalo Bills and could have a job by tomorrow or Thursday. He has not received any offers yet, but the Cardinals said yesterday that their new coach will come from a list of four candidates that includes Fassel, Crennel, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson and former Vikings coach Dennis Green.’

‘With the Bucs dragging their feet, former Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams is the front-runner to replace Ted Cottrell as defensive coordinator.’

‘With six other head-coaching jobs open around the league, the Giants seem to have reached a point where they believe waiting is no longer an option. The Bills expect Coughlin to arrive in Buffalo late today to interview for their head-coaching vacancy if talks with the Giants don’t culinate in a contract agreement.’

‘Jones also said the team has spoken with Tom Modrak, but the Buffalo assistant GM hasn’t decided whether he would like to interview. Although Jones would not confirm it, a source said Modrak’s lack of enthusiasm has damaged his standing.’

‘Jones admitted Modrak hasn’t shown great enthusiasm toward scheduling an interview, but that doesn’t mean the Dolphins have lost interest. Jones believes the highly regarded Modrak could have hesitations about vying for a new job at this point in his 27-year career. “He’s a little older than the other candidates, so I’m sure that enters into this process,” Jones said. “He probably is very happy with what he’s doing in Buffalo and, a little like Ron Wolf, isn’t ready to jump out there and make a new commitment.”‘

‘As Bills Assistant General Manager Tom Modrak considers an offer to meet with the Dolphins, Jones stressed that this franchise will not have a weak general manager. “We have talked to Tom and the decision is in his court now,” Jones said. “We’ve told him we’re interested in talking to him. He asked what the job entails and we told him clearly it’s a job with a lot of power.”‘

‘Meanwhile, former Bears coach Dick Jauron interviewed in Buffalo on Monday but is not thought to be a front-runner for the Bills’ job. Former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel will interview in Buffalo today and is thought to be the top candidate.’

‘In Buffalo on Monday, the Bills interviewed former Bears coach Dick Jauron, fired by the Bears after a 7-9 season. But the Bills are said to prefer someone with an offensive background, which is why they are most interested in Fassel.’

‘Vikings coach Mike Tice spoke by phone with recently fired Buffalo Bills coach Gregg Williams about the Vikings’ vacant defensive coordinator position.’

‘Former Texas defensive back Jerry Gray, who was the Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator before head coach Gregg Williams was fired recently, is considered a leading candidate to replace Reese. Gray, a native of Lubbock and a two-time All-American at Texas as a safety in 1983 and 1984, was scheduled to interview for the Bills’ head coaching job Monday, according to one source.’

‘If Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray does not get the vacant head coaching job, he is apparently making back-up plans. In Austin, Texas, Gray is being mentioned as a possible candidate to be the new defensive coordinator at the University of Texas.’

‘Jauron, who did not make himself available for comment afterward, was the fifth candidate considered by the Bills to replace Gregg Williams, who was dismissed last week. Earlier in the day, team president Tom Donahoe interviewed Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, team spokesman Scott Berchtold said.’

‘And the team is still awaiting word whether Tom Modrak, assistant GM of the Buffalo Bills, will accept an invitation to interview. “The decision is in his court now,” Jones said. “We told him we’re interested in talking to him. He asked what the job entails. We told him very clearly it’s a job with a lot of power. And he wants to think about it.”’

‘SportsLine.com has learned ex-Giants coach Jim Fassel is scheduled to interview for the Bills opening Tuesday. Fassel is the strongest name yet to be linked with the vacancy and marks the third team he will have interviewed for a job since being dismissed from the Giants.’

Odds are the Buffalo Bills won’t name their next head coach until next month, after the National Football League playoffs are completed and there’s a full list of assistant coaches available to complement the ex-head coaches already on the market. Which leaves us plenty of time for speculation. First, let’s put the kibosh on one of the more popular names floating around. Not Jim Haslett — he’s not even worth discussing, as both he and New Orleans Saints management confirmed last week that there’s no out clause in his contract that would allow him to return to the team he played for in the 1970s and ’80s. The subject here is Jim Fassel, recently dispatched after six years at the helm of the New York Giants. He’s already interviewed with the Washington Redskins, and is reportedly being wooed by the Chicago Bears and Oakland Raiders as well. Which raises one question. Did the management of any of those teams watch the Giants play during the second half of the season?’