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Doug Marrone

Jets Targeting Mike Maccagnan, Dan Quinn

January 9th, 2015 at 10:58pm CST by Luke Adams

10:58pm: The Jets aren’t expected to make any hires this weekend, tweets Mehta.

7:31pm: Now that the Bears have hired Ryan Pace as their general manager, the Jets are the league’s lone team searching for both a GM and a head coach, but it appears the club has its sights set on a pair of top targets. According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, Texans director of college scouting Mike Maccagnan has emerged as the favorite for the Jets’ GM vacancy, while Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the frontrunner for the head coaching position.

While former Bills head coach Doug Marrone was initially viewed as the top candidate to replace Rex Ryan in New York, Marrone isn’t one of the team’s preferred options at this point, a source tells Costello. Instead, Quinn, Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, and Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable are the most serious contenders, having had the best interviews of New York’s candidates so far.

Quinn was busy during Seattle’s bye week, speaking to the Falcons, Bills, Bears, and 49ers as well, so the Jets will have competition for the coveted defensive coordinator. However, the team’s interest in Quinn is mutual, according to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, who reports that the Seahawks DC has told friends that New York is his top choice.

As for Maccagnan, both Costello and Mehta indicate that the GM hopeful is meeting with Jets owner Woody Johnson and the club’s front office brass for dinner tonight. Maccagnan is the only candidate to receive a second interview with the Jets to date, and Mehta writes that Johnson, team president Neil Glat, and consultants Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf have made the Texans executive their top target.

If Maccagnan is tabbed as John Idzik‘s successor, the Jets may bring aboard a veteran contract negotiator and cap expert to complement his skill set. According to Mehta, if Quinn were to land a head coaching job, he would like his new team to add former Buccaneers GM (and current ESPN analyst) Mark Domenik to the front office — the Jets have reached out to Domenik about a possible role, per Mehta.

Although a front office hiring or two could happen soon, the Jets won’t get the chance to speak to Quinn again until the Seahawks are eliminated from the postseason or win the NFC title game. Assuming Seattle defeats the Panthers this weekend, as is expected, that means the Jets would have to wait until at least January 18 to talk to or hire the Seahawks coordinator.

NFC North Links: Suh, Briggs, Pace

January 9th, 2015 at 2:01pm CST by Ben Levine

There seemed to be a belief that Ndamukong Suh‘s tenure with the Lions was over. General manager Martin Mayhew hushed those rumors, saying the team would do whatever it could to keep the defensive tackle in Detroit.

“We’re going to leave every option open,” Mayhew said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “We’re not going to get into the plusses and minuses of anything in terms of working this out. I think it’s important for you guys to know that we want him back and we are willing to franchise him, transition him, whatever, but not get into the details of each tactic.”

Meanwhile, Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press opines that the Lions shouldn’t throw all of their money at Suh, suggesting the team would be better off spreading the money around.

Let’s check out more notes from the NFC North…

  • Suh and Bears linebacker Lance Briggs headline Field Yates’ list of big-name free agents who could change teams this offseason (Insider-only link via ESPN.com).
  • It was a bit of a surprise when the Bears hired Ryan Pace as their next general manager. Many believed Chris Ballard was the favorite for the position, but Adam Jahns of the Chicago Sun-Times says the executive’s familiarity with the franchise may have actually hurt his chances.
  • Pace wouldn’t discuss the value of his contract with the Bears, but Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune tweets that the pact is for five years.
  • Following the hiring of Pace, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk wonders if the Bears will interview former Bills head coach Doug Marrone for the same position. The two previously worked together in New Orleans, and Florio says members of the Saints organization believe Marrone will be considered.

Coach Updates: Pep, Shanahan, Trestman

January 5th, 2015 at 7:05pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Although previous reports indicated that Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton wouldn’t take any interviews this week due to logistical concerns, Hamilton actually did find the time to speak with Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie after Indianapolis’ victory on Sunday night, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN (Twitter link). Per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter), the meeting wasn’t a formal interview, but McKenzie was very impressed with Hamilton, and Oakland believes the 40-year-old OC could play a significant role in the development of quarterback Derek Carr (TwitLonger link via Josina Anderson of ESPN). Let’s look at some more notes on head coaching vacancies around the league:

  • The Bills have requested permission to interview Browns offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan for their head coaching position, per Schefter (Twitter link). Shanahan, 35, has called plays for the Texans and Washington in addition to Cleveland, and although he’s been linked to the 49ers vacancy this offseason, this is the first official interest displayed by another club.
  • In their search to find a new offensive coordinator, the Buccaneers have interviewed former Bears head coach Marc Trestman, per Rapoport (on Twitter). Trestman, of course, would have some familiarity with Tampa Bay quarterback Josh McCown, who started five games for Chicago in 2013. The Bucs have also met with Greg Roman and Dirk Koetter, two in-limbo play-callers, as they look for their new OC.
  • The Falcons have interviewed special teams coordinator Keith Armstrong for their head coaching job, according to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports (Twitter link). The interview, which satisfies the Rooney Rule, could pave the way for Atlanta to hire Rex Ryan after his interview on Tuesday, writes Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, who adds that the hiring process could pick up this week.
  • Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is one of the most popular head coaching candidates available, and he’ll meet with four teams this week, tweets Rapoport. He’ll do one interview per day starting on Wednesday, starting with the Jets, and finishing the week with the Falcons, 49ers, and Bears. Per Anderson (via TwitLonger), Bowles is open to working with a team that “needs development on either side of the ball,” but wants a strong front office and a few key pieces that he can work with.
  • Doug Marrone is considered the favorite to land the Jets HC job, but according to Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com (via Twitter), his interview with New York did not go well. This report comes on the heels of Marrone’s assistant head coach from his time at Syracuse calling him “self-centered, selfish, [and] greedy” (link via Seth Walder of the New York Daily News).
  • Despite rumors to the contrary, La Canfora says (Twitter link) that UCLA head coach Jim Mora Jr. does not have an interview scheduled with the Jets. Speculation has arisen that Mora Jr. is looking to make a return to the NFL, but it sounds like nothing is planned with Gang Green at this time.

Coach Updates: Pep, Shanahan, Holmgren

January 5th, 2015 at 12:19pm CST by Luke Adams

Following his team’s Wild Card win on Sunday, Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton is now free to interview for head coaching openings, but it sounds if he won’t have the opportunity to talk to the Bills and Raiders this week, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, who tweets that the window is too tight and the logistics won’t work.

Per Rapoport (via Twitter), it sounds as if the Bills and Raiders are open to waiting for Hamilton, who is currently prepping for the Broncos. However, Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter link) isn’t convinced Oakland will wait on the Colts’ OC.

Here are several more Monday updates on head coaching searches from around the league:

  • We heard previously that Mike Shanahan interviewed with the 49ers, and it seems the former Washington head coach has spoken to other teams as well. Dianna Marie Russini of NBC 4 in Washington reports (via Twitter) that the Raiders talked to Shanahan, while Adam Schefter of ESPN.com says (via Twitter) that Shanahan spent Sunday meeting with Bills owners Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula, along with other team officials.
  • Appearing on Sports Radio KJR in Seattle today, Mike Holmgren said he was offered NFL jobs last week, but decided that he won’t return to coaching. Holmgren added that the one job he might have had interest in was the 49ers‘ position, but the club didn’t reach out to him about exploring that possibility (Twitter links).
  • Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has interviews scheduled with the Falcons and 49ers on Wednesday and Thursday, according to Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL.com (via Twitter). Austin hadn’t been able to talk to teams last week, since Detroit was involved in the Wild Card round.
  • The Eagles have given the Bills permission to interview offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur for their head coaching job, tweets Mark Maske of the Washington Post. Shurmur previously interviewed with the Raiders.
  • Although a report last week suggested the Bears intended to interview Doug Marrone for their head coaching position, no meeting has been scheduled yet, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News.
  • The Raiders have reportedly requested an interview with Cowboys assistant Scott Linehan, but he’s not interested in exploring any opportunities until Dallas’ season is over, as he tells Todd Archer of ESPN.com.
  • To keep tabs on the interviewees for all six NFL head coaching vacancies, be sure to check out our tracker.

Front Office Notes: Bills, Jets, Bengals, Bears

January 4th, 2015 at 5:29pm CST by Ben Levine

The Lions success this season has resulted in defensive coordinator Teryl Austin becoming one of the most sought after head coaching candidates in the league. While he isn’t eligible to talk with teams until next week, Austin already has a line of suitors, including the Falcons, 49ers and Bills.

Of course, there’s a chance that Austin may be too busy to interview for a job if his team advances to the next round of the playoffs. Regardless, the 49-year-old is already preparing for a hectic upcoming week:

“The way I think the brackets are set up, we’d play on Saturday next week and it’d be a short week, so a lot of it would have to do, if our team here is ready,” Austin said (via Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press). “If I think I need the time to get our team ready here, then I won’t interview. But if I feel I’ve got our team and everything that we have in here so that we can go play a quality game then I would.”

Meanwhile, Lions head coach Jim Caldwell believes his defensive coordinator would be a wonderful addition to any organization:

“For all of us, for him, I think, and his family, I think he’s deserving of it and I think he’s going to get one,” Caldwell said. “I think if, once they get an opportunity to see him and listen to him and watch what he’s been able to do, I think it’ll happen for him and I think it’ll be absolutely outstanding.”

Let’s take a look at some more notes from the NFL’s front offices…

  • One factor that may have contributed to Doug Marrone‘s exit from the Bills was his disagreement with the organization’s draft strategy. ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports that the former head coach was not happy with the team sending a pair of first-rounders to the Browns in exchange for the opportunity to select wideout Sammy Watkins.
  • The Jets could do better than Marrone as their next head coach, writes Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News. The writer cites people within the Bills organization who describe the former coach as a “control freak,” and Mehta notes that Marrone may be too thin-skinned and ornery for the gig. “It’s about power and control,” a source told Mehta. “That is what drives Doug Marrone. That’s why he is a very dangerous person to have inside the building.”
  • Despite the Bengals playoff loss this afternoon, a variety of NFL writers would be shocked if the team dismissed head coach Marvin Lewis. Paul Dehner Jr. of The Cincinnati Enquirer tweets that Lewis will be back next season, but his future could be reevaluated following that. NFL.com’s Gregg Rosenthal tweets that a firing would be “stunning,” while Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio writes that Lewis is still the right man for the job.
  • The previously reported GM interview between the Bears and Chiefs executive Chris Ballard will take place on Wednesday, tweets NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.

East Notes: Jets, Fitzgerald, Phillips

January 4th, 2015 at 9:45am CST by Rory Parks

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes that all signs are pointing to Doug Marrone as the next head coach of the Jets. La Canfora notes that many of the candidates that New York is interviewing for its general manager position have strong ties to Marrone, including top candidate Mike Maccagnan. Maccagnan once signed Marrone to quarterback the London Monarchs of the now extinct World League of American Football in 1991, and the two men have developed a close personal relationship since then.

Other GM candidates like Rick Mueller, Bill Kuharich, and Ryan Pace also have ties to Marrone. Jets owner Woody Johnson would like to announce his new GM and head coach no later than the end of this week, and some believe the Jets could be the first team to do so. At the moment, the smart money appears to be on a Maccagnan/Marrone pairing in New York.

Now for some more notes from the league’s east divisions:

  • Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News believes that if the Jets end up hiring Marrone, “Jets fans will have every right to believe the thing was fixed fight from the beginning.” The “thing,” of course, is Marrone’s opting out of his contract with the Bills. If he is subsequently hired by New York, it will appear as though he had a back-door agreement with Charley Casserly, who is acting as Johnson’s primary adviser in the hiring process (Twitter link to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, who described in a full-length piece how Marrone alienated members of the Bills administration during his two years in Buffalo).
  • After being snubbed by Bill Polian, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports writes that Bills owner Terry Pegula is still interested in hiring a “football czar” as he focuses in the short term on finding a new head coach.
  • Ben Volin of the Boston Globe writes that, even though the Larry Fitzgerald-to-the-Patriots rumors have swirled for the past several seasons, those rumblings might have some legs this offseason.
  • Rich Tandler of CSN Washington.com notes that Wade Phillips‘ age (68) has some wondering if Washington should opt for a younger candidate to fill its vacant defensive coordinator position, but Tandler believes Phillips’ recent pedigree suggests that his age should not be a major consideration.
  • We learned earlier today that the Raiders have requested permission to interview Cowboys‘ passing game coordinator Scott Linehan, and Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports (via Twitter) that Dallas is also in danger of losing defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. The contracts of both men expire at the end of this season, and Rapoport tweets that Marinelli may be wooed by the Buccaneers if talks with the Cowboys do not progress.
  • Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram adds (via Twitter) that the Cowboys also stand to lose offensive coordinator Bill Callahan, whose contract is also set to expire at season’s end.
  • Mark Eckel of NJ.com provides a list of five candidates the Eagles should consider in filling their GM position.

Coach Updates: Bowles, Bears, Jets, Marrone

January 3rd, 2015 at 8:00pm CST by Luke Adams

The Cardinals suffered an ugly loss in today’s Wild Card game against the Panthers, totaling just 78 offensive yards, a record low for a playoff contest. However, while Ryan Lindley and the offense struggled, Todd Bowles‘ defensive unit held its own, and now that Arizona’s season is over, Bowles will be free to interview for head coaching openings. As our head coaching search tracker shows, every team except the Bills has reportedly requested permission to interview Bowles, so he could be a busy man over the next few days — Scott Bair of CSNBayArea.com tweets that the Cards DC is expected to interview with the Raiders next week.

Here are a few more coaching-related updates on a Saturday night:

  • The Bears confirmed today (via Twitter) that they’ve interviewed Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and Broncos offensive coordinator Adam Gase for their head coaching position. However, the club has no interest in Rex Ryan, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.
  • After meeting with the Jets this weekend, Doug Marrone is scheduled to interview with the Falcons on Monday, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
  • Speaking of Marrone, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News has a column packed with feedback from Bills sources on the team’s former head coach, and it doesn’t paint a flattering picture. Mehta’s sources call Marrone a “control freak,” a “very dangerous person to have in the building,” and “the definition of average,” suggesting that the ex-Bills head coach didn’t get along with a number of players and others within the organization. Based on that assessment, Mehta thinks the Jets can do better with their head coaching hire.
  • It shouldn’t be a problem for the Jets if the team ends up hiring a head coach before landing a general manager, writes Bob Glauber of Newsday.
  • Mark Maske of the Washington Post tweets a reminder that the league’s Rooney Role doesn’t apply to assistant coaching jobs. Despite the fact that the Fritz Pollard Alliance asked for that two years ago, the NFL turned down the request, and there has been no renewed push for it recently, says Maske.

Jets Notes: Marrone, Ryan, Pace

January 3rd, 2015 at 2:54pm CST by Rob DiRe

If the Jets do hire former Bills coach Doug Marrone, that would mark a huge difference in philosophies from former coach Rex Ryan, writes Gary Myers of the New York Daily News. Myers notes that Ryan was the ultimate players’ coach, but Marrone is tonally opposite, with a reputation as a strict disciplinarian. This would not be a surprise to the organization, as he was the team’s offensive line coach between 2002 and 2005.

  • Ryan could land a tremendous job this offseason after being fired by the Jets, writes Bob Glauber of Newsday.
  • The Jets have requested permission to interview Saints director of player personnel Ryan Pace to be their next general manager, reports Kristian Dyer of Metro New York (via Twitter). The team is still in the process of interviewing coaches and general managers for their open positions.
  • The Saints did not allow the Dolphins to interview Pace for their opening last year, so it remains to be seen whether the Jets will have the opportunity to speak with him, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post (via Twitter).
  • While the Jets are casting a wide net in terms of their general manager search, Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com wonders if some of these candidates will stay away from the job if a head coach is already in place (via Twitter).

Coaching Rumors: Marrone, Phillips, Del Rio

January 3rd, 2015 at 11:50am CST by Zachary Links

As the carousel continues to spin, we’ll get you caught up on all the latest coaching rumors right here..

  • The Jets will formally meet with Doug Marrone today, according to Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com.
  • Former Cowboys head coach Wade Phillips will interview for Washington‘s defensive coordinator opening this week, a source tells Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).
  • The Raiders asked for permission late last night to speak to Broncos defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and an interview could come as soon as today, according to ESPN.com’s Bill Williamson (on Twitter). Del Rio, he adds, has to be considered a favorite in Oakland (link).
  • Gary Kubiak is generating interest, according to Rapoport (on Twitter). When the Ravens’ season is over, Rapoport expects the 49ers and Jets to talk with him. Of course, if the Ravens’ season extends to February, there’s no guarantee those teams will wait for him.
  • The Bills will interview Mike Shanahan and it could take place as early as this weekend, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter (via Facebook).
  • Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is interviewing today with the Bills for their head coaching job, according to Rapoport (on Twitter).
  • The Bills will interview Chargers offensive coordinator Frank Reich on Sunday and the Jets will speak with him on Monday, according to NFL.com’s Albert Breer (on Twitter).
  • The Bills requested permission to interview Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, a team source tells Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

AFC Notes: Jets, Ballard, Marrone, Ravens

January 1st, 2015 at 5:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Refuting an earlier report, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk writes that while the Jets did speak with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, New York is isn’t interested in Roseman himself. Rather, Gang Green was seeking Roseman’s assessment of Rick Mueller, Philadelphia’s director of pro personnel and a candidate for the Jets’ GM opening. Mueller, 47, has also worked with the Jaguars and Saints, in addition to spending a good deal of time in the UFL. Here’s more from the AFC.

  • The Bears have received permission to interview Chiefs personnel director Chris Ballard, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). Ballard, who worked with Chicago until joining Kansas City in 2012, will meet with Bears ownership either Friday or Saturday.
  • Doug Marrone spoke with Jets owner Woody Johnson by phone today, tweets Peter King of Sports Illustrated, who adds that a formal interview should take place soon. Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News confirms this (Twitter link), saying that although New York plans to interview Marrone this week, nothing has been scheduled yet.
  • The Ravens will have the option to carry over about $5.785MM in salary cap space into 2015, as Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun writes. $2MM of that total comes from Haloti Ngata‘s forfeited base salary resulting from his four-game suspension.
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