He Is Coming...

[Angry Pope]

The highlighted part...


Raiders interview ex-coach Shell for vacancy

By Steve CorkranCONTRA COSTA TIMES

Former Raiders coach Art Shell interviewed with Raiders managing general partner Al Davis late last week regarding the team's coaching vacancy, a person in the front office confirmed Monday.

Shell is the fifth candidate known to have interviewed with the Raiders in person. Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt likely will be the sixth, as he is expected in town today or Wednesday, a person close to Whisenhunt said.

Shell followed former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive line coach Rod Marinelli, San Diego Chargers wide receivers coach James Lofton and Raiders quarterbacks coach John Shoop as those receiving face-to-face interviews.

Saunders later accepted a job as the Washington Redskins offensive coordinator. The Detroit Lions hired Marinelli as their coach. Shoop is being courted by the Buffalo Bills about their offensive coordinator vacancy.
Shell's entrance into the mix shines a whole new light on the process. He has yearned for another shot at a coaching job since he got fired by the Raiders after the 1994 season.


He interviewed with the Raiders, along with New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden, in 1998 before Davis decided upon Gruden.

Coincidentally, Shell and Gruden are the only Raiders coaches with winning records since Tom Flores moved to the team's front office after the 1987 season. Shell's .587 won-loss percentage (54-38) in regular-season games is almost identical to the .594 mark Gruden posted (38-26) from 1998-2001.
Shell, like Gruden, led the Raiders to the playoffs in half his seasons and reached the AFC Championship game once.

"He had an excellent record with us," Davis said in January 2004, "and I might have, as I've said many times, made a mistake by acting too soon. There were people behind the scenes who were hurting him. I didn't have the full story."

Shell met with Davis at the team's headquarters in Alameda. He then flew to Detroit and discussed with other team officials the interest level, the person in the front office said, at the site of the Super Bowl.

Shell could not be reached for comment Monday because he was traveling to Florida for a league-related function. He's the NFL's senior vice president of football operations and development and works out of its New York headquarters.

For years, players have praised Shell's coaching style and lobbied for his return. They cited his strong relationship with Davis and his history as a player in the organization as reasons for his success where others have failed.
Shell played for the Raiders from 1968-82 in a career that culminated with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989. He replaced Mike Shanahan as coach four games into the 1989 season after six-plus seasons as a Raiders assistant coach.

The Raiders went 7-5 after a 1-3 start under Shanahan that season. They finished 12-4 and advanced to the AFC Championship game in his first full season.

The Raiders had to wait until after the Super Bowl on Sunday, per league rules, before they could contact Whisenhunt. He returned to Pittsburgh on Sunday night and spent Monday there, as well.

Meanwhile, the Raiders also contacted Lofton early last week, a source close to Lofton said, in what amounted to an update on their progress in finding a successor to Norv Turner, who was fired Jan. 3.

Lofton interviewed with the Raiders on Jan. 12,

 

[Angry Pope]

From the USA Today...

Offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is expected to interview for the Oakland Raiders' vacant head coaching position perhaps as soon as today

 

[Crossbones]

Ken Whisenhunt or Shell...you make the call!

This guy appears to be just what the doctor orderdd.

I am not going to get my hopes up, however. This is a big chess match and Al Davis has just put Ken Whisenhunt in "check" whith the odd move to interview Art Shell at the 11th hour.

Interesting. I hope Ken Whisenhunt is our man. We'll see.

BTW, anybody have a take about the possibility of Art Shell getting another shot at HC with the Radiers?

 

[Angry Pope]

From Cowher...

Cowher said he would like to get back to normalcy, but he also has pressing issues in coming days. His offensive coordinator, Ken Whisenhunt, is scheduled to interview with the Oakland Raiders, and Cowher is sure to lose some players to free agency, a group that could include safety Chris Hope, defensive end Kimo von Oelhoffen, tight end Jerame Tuman, cornerback Deshea Townsend and wideout Antwaan Randle El, among others.

Cowher said he would never stand in the way of Whisenhunt, a highly regarded offensive mind who would follow Al Saunders, James Lofton and Rod Marinelli to formally interview with Raiders senior personnel executive Michael Lombardi and owner Al Davis, who fired Norv Turner on Jan. 3.

"We'll talk," Cowher said. "I just saw him briefly after the game. It was kind of a whirlwind. I'm sure we'll talk in the next couple of days. Like I said, I've never been one to stop anybody from having an opportunity to live out the dream."

 

[Angry Pope]

More info...

Raiders to interview Whisenhunt
Tuesday, February 07, 2006

By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette



DETROIT -- Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt will interview for the Raiders' head coaching job in Oakland today or tomorrow.

Raiders owner Al Davis interviewed several people for the job but wanted to wait until the Steelers' season ended to talk to Whisenhunt, 43.

While Whisenhunt may be the man the Raiders want, they might not get him. The Oakland job is notorious for being a graveyard for many coaches under the impatient Davis.

"Intelligent people keep an open mind," said Eric Metz, Whisenhunt's agent. "Ken's certainly an intelligent guy so I'm sure we're willing to listen to what they have to say."

Davis and other executives with the Raiders wanted to interview Whisenhunt today in Oakland but Whisenhunt also did not want to miss the parade for the new Super Bowl champions today in Downtown.

Whisenhunt, who had coached the Steelers' tight ends since 2001, succeeded Mike Mularkey as coordinator in 2004. In his two years as coordinator, the Steelers' offense, led by young quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, has been extremely effective and the team's record during that time is 26-6 during the regular season and 5-1 in the postseason.

"I'm sure we'll talk in the next couple of days," coach Bill Cowher said of Whisenhunt's situation. "I've never been one to stop anybody from having an opportunity to live out the dream, and if that's the right situation for him, I would talk -- if he wants any advice from me, I'd give it to him."

 

[Angry Pope]

A quote by Whisenhunt...

"I have learned from Coach Cowher that it is about discipline, toughness and being fair," Whisenhunt said. "If you are fair with them, but yet you are clear with what you want to do, they will respond to that. You have to have a level of trust there."

 

[Crow]

Sounds like it's still just speculation that he'll be interviewing. Argh. My kingdom for something concrete.

 

[Rupert]

Well, all the quotes look like the interview is a foregone conclusion. What isn't a foregone conclusion is a job offer or acceptance of it.

I think the Art Shell interview is the sign that a fallback position was needed. Some people speculated that Fassel would be a fallback choice, but he has not been interviewed. I think Shoop and Lofton were interviewed as possible OC choices with the potential to be eventual HC successors. With Shell as HC one of those two will likely be offered the OC position. With Whisenhunt, those two will be offered to him.

 

[Plunkett16]

crow, he is coming period.


this is great sign that al is wanting to get back to winning. like crossbones, I am not gettin my hopes up.


but still i rather have whisenhunt over art shell but i would give art shell another shot at hc.

 

[Crossbones]

Well, all the quotes look like the interview is a foregone conclusion. What isn't a foregone conclusion is a job offer or acceptance of it.

I think the Art Shell interview is the sign that a fallback position was needed. Some people speculated that Fassel would be a fallback choice, but he has not been interviewed. I think Shoop and Lofton were interviewed as possible OC choices with the potential to be eventual HC successors. With Shell as HC one of those two will likely be offered the OC position. With Whisenhunt, those two will be offered to him.

I'm happy we're on this Wisenhunt interview but somehow I'm not getting that warm and fuzzy feeling about this. Specifically I belive Al wil ltry and low ball Ken and that could be a problem.

Another thing that is bothering me is Bill cowher. In his statement about the situation he says he would never stand in somebody's way, etc., however, he also said they would talk and ``...if Ken asks for advice I'll give it to him". Somehow I take that negavietly like he may tell him "I wouldn't do it if I were you...wait for a better opportunity next year. Your time will come".

Just some comments I have obviously no way of knowing any of that.

 

[Angry Pope]

Here is a little more....

A Raiders executive said Monday that the team had received permission from the Steelers to interview Whisenhunt. He is expected to speak to Davis by phone, then follow up with a face-to-face interview.

 

[Rupert]

Reasons for Art Shell interview:
1) Without Shell, Whisenhunt was the ONLY viable option, he would have had the team over a barrel on price. If the Raiders balked, they'd have had to go fishing or go with Shoop or Lofton. With Shell, they have leverage to move Whisenhunt a little.
2) Without Shell Whisenhunt held ALL the cards. He could say, "I want to select my staff." With Shell, Al can say, "Art's willing to accept these coaches already on staff."
3) Without Shell, it was Whisenhunt or two offensive assistants. With Shell, it's a company guy who will bend a little for the organization versus the rest.

Personally, I'd like to get new blood in here, but as a fallback position, Shell is good. Al's position on Shell's past was that Shell was undermined a bit by his assistants. Shell can get a second chance while we groom the coordinators to take the reigns (Ryan probably first in line with the future OC behind him).

 

[Crossbones]

Reasons for Art Shell interview:
1) Without Shell, Whisenhunt was the ONLY viable option, he would have had the team over a barrel on price. If the Raiders balked, they'd have had to go fishing or go with Shoop or Lofton. With Shell, they have leverage to move Whisenhunt a little.
2) Without Shell Whisenhunt held ALL the cards. He could say, "I want to select my staff." With Shell, Al can say, "Art's willing to accept these coaches already on staff."
3) Without Shell, it was Whisenhunt or two offensive assistants. With Shell, it's a company guy who will bend a little for the organization versus the rest.

Personally, I'd like to get new blood in here, but as a fallback position, Shell is good. Al's position on Shell's past was that Shell was undermined a bit by his assistants. Shell can get a second chance while we groom the coordinators to take the reigns (Ryan probably first in line with the future OC behind him).

I certainlyt gree with all this Rupert. I always liked Art Shell (as a player and as a coach). I only wionder if it's been too long since Art has been into the nuts and bolts of what's happeneing in the NFL these days. His assistant staff would be crucial in his ability to succeed IMO.

Either way I am not going to be unhappy. I'd still vote for Wisenhunt as he seems the perfect guy at the perfect time.

 

[Angry Pope]

Supposedly, according to PFT, Whisenhunt was in yesterday. That is one thing I like about Ken, his ability to be in two places at the same time. This would work very well at the practice field and may be the secret to his success....

FASSEL PLAN B FOR RAIDERS?



A league source tells us there's a rumor making the rounds that the Raiders will hire Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, if Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt doesn't become the new head coach in Oakland.



Whisenhunt, we're told, made the trip to Oakland on Monday to interview. Five others, including most recently former Raiders head coach Art Shell, have sat for the job.



At one point, we believed that the Raiders had a secret college coach in the mix, and that they were waiting for the February 1 letter-of-intent deadline to pass before announcing the hire. But it's been nearly a week since the new crop of recruits committed, and with each passing day the chances of a surprise NCAA arrival grows smaller and smaller.

 

[Rupert]

I knew I had heard a Fassel rumor out there, but I hadn't heard he had interviewed. Shell has now, and he could be the top Plan B guy.

 

[Angry Pope]

Here is Nancy Gay's take...

Super coach to meet Davis
Whisenhunt flying to Oakland

Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, February 7, 2006

Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt is expected to participate in Pittsburgh's Super Bowl XL victory parade today and then make his way to the Bay Area to interview for the Raiders' head-coaching position as early as Wednesday morning, a person close to Whisenhunt confirmed.

The Raiders are the last of eight teams in the NFL to fill their head-coaching vacancy and they waited out two weeks of Super Bowl buildup to get a crack at Whisenhunt, 43, whose efficient, yet somewhat unorthodox game plan Sunday night produced three touchdowns in a 21-10 victory over Seattle in Detroit.

Raiders owner Al Davis is expected to receive official permission from the Steelers to interview Whisenhunt sometime this morning. The popular second-year offensive coordinator, who has spent nine seasons as an NFL assistant, could arrive in the Bay Area by tonight.

Whisenhunt's Super Bowl game plan is sure to draw raves from Davis. Even though second-year Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger struggled at times, the strategy was an effective mix of the run, play-action passing and an eye-opening 43-yard touchdown pass from wide receiver Antwaan Randle El to the game's MVP, Hines Ward, with 8:56 remaining.

The Raiders have been without a head coach since Norv Turner was dismissed Jan. 3. Since then, they have formally interviewed four candidates to replace him. None was considered an ideal prospect. Al Saunders eventually accepted a $2 million-plus annual salary to become the Redskins' offensive coordinator. Rod Marinelli, the Buccaneers' former defensive line coach, accepted the Detroit opening. Chargers receivers coach James Lofton was the only minority candidate to interview.

The Raiders also spoke to former Rams coach Mike Martz, who initiated the contact. But Davis quickly lost interest in him as a head-coaching prospect.

 

[Angry Pope]

We will definately have a new offensive line coach...

Jim Colletto Named Offensive Line Coach
Will also serve as assistant head coach



Feb. 7, 2006

Jim Colletto, who has 39 years of combined experience coaching in college and the NFL, has been hired to coach the UCLA offensive line, head coach Karl Dorrell announced today. Colletto, who helped the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl XXXV and has 11 years of experience as a collegiate head coach, will also serve as assistant head coach.

"Jim is considered one of the top line coaches in the business and we are excited to have him return to UCLA," Dorrell said. "He has a wealth of experience at both the collegiate and professional levels and has enjoyed success throughout his career. In Baltimore, they used the same running schemes as the Broncos, which are the running schemes we utilize, so Jim is well-versed in our offense."

Colletto, a former UCLA football and baseball player and Bruin assistant coach, spent the 2005 season as offensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders.

Prior to joining the Raiders, Colletto coached the offensive line for the Baltimore Ravens for six seasons. His offensive line corps helped Baltimore capture the NFL rushing title in 2003 with 2,669 yards (nearly 170 yards per game) and enabled running back Jamal Lewis to record the second-best rushing total in NFL history (2,066 yards) and become the fifth running back in league annals to run for over 2,000 yards. Colletto coached an offensive line that saw the Ravens break the team rushing record twice, first in 2000 when they won Super Bowl XXXV and again in 2003. Overall, Baltimore averaged over 4.0 yards per carry in five of his six seasons as offensive line coach.

Among his 32 years of experience on the collegiate level are 11 as a head coach - six at Purdue (1991-96) and five at Cal State Fullerton (1975-79). In his six years at Purdue, the Boilermakers rushed for at least 1,900 yards on five occasions and accounted for over 4,000 yards total offense in each of his final four years.

He spent 17 seasons as an offensive coordinator, including his six as head coach at Purdue. In two years (1997-98) at Notre Dame, the Fighting Irish offense generated over 8,500 yards of total offense and appeared in two bowl games. He also served as offensive coordinator for three years (1988-90) at Ohio State (two bowls), three years (1985-87) at Arizona State (three bowls, including one Rose Bowl) and three years (1982-84) at Purdue (one bowl).

He also served stints as offensive line coach at UCLA (1976-68 and 1980-81), Brown (1969), Xavier of Ohio (1970-71) and Pacific (1972-74). Colletto played both football and baseball at UCLA, where he was an All-League defensive end and captain of the Bruin team that beat Michigan State in the 1966 Rose Bowl. He led the Bruins in rushing as a sophomore fullback in 1963. In baseball, he was a two-time all-league selection, posted a .306 career batting average and was inducted into the UCLA Baseball Hall of Fame in 2000.

The new Bruin coach was born in San Francisco, CA, attended high school in Monterey and earned his Bachelor of Science degree from UCLA in 1967. The Colletto family includes wife Suzanne and their three children: Dawn, Dan and Patrick.

 

[Rupert]

Awww, darn, we lost Jim Colletto, the guy who screwed up our linemen. It's strange that our behemoths couldn't learn to dance the Nutcracker Suite like Jimmy wanted them to.

 

[JC]

Crow is gonna be exstatic about that, he hates Jim Colletto more than Norv Turner!

 

[Plunkett16]

he be here tomorrow

Raiders | Whisenhunt expected to interview Wednesday
Tue, 7 Feb 2006 05:51:37 -0800

Nancy Gay, of the San Francisco Chronicle, reports the Oakland Raiders are expected to interview Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt for their head coaching vacancy starting Wednesday morning Feb. 8. Raiders' owner Al Davis is expected to receive official permission from the Steelers to interview Whisenhunt sometime Tuesday morning, Feb. 7.