Raiders Defensive Coordinator Rumors

Update:

According to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, news regarding the Raiders next defensive coordinator is likely to come after the Super Bowl.

Tafur mentions that new HC Jack Del Rio “is not in a rush” to hire someone and plans to meet with more candidates in the coming weeks.

While the Raiders have missed out on a few candidates for the job, sources have told Tafur that Oakland placed a emphasis on building their offensive staff quickly seeing as Del Rio comes from a defensive background.

Previous reports have said that the Raiders are expected to look to the college ranks for their next defensive coordinator, and given that college teams are finishing up their recruiting classes, the Raiders may have a better opportunity to add someone after next week.

We’ll have more updates as the news is available.

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Brett McMurphy reports Todd Grantham will remain at the University of Louisville, despite interest from the Oakland Raiders regarding their defensive coordinator position. 

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter has already confirmed the news.

“My family loves it in Louisville, and I think we are establishing something special here with Bobby Petrino and our staff,” Grantham said, per Bruce Feldman.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Louisville DC Todd Grantham has received a two-year deal from the Raiders to be their next defensive coordinator.

• Rapoport doesn’t say whether or not Grantham has agreed to take the position.

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Dianna Marie Russini reports that the Raiders are interested in Louisville DC Todd Grantham for their defensive coordinator position.

• Russini adds that Grantham is considered to be the “favorite” for the Raiders job, and the team is set to meet with him.

Russini has previously mentioned that the Raiders are unlikely to sign or announce the hiring of defensive coordinator right away if they end up luring someone from the college ranks.

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Dianna Marie Russini reports it’s “very unlikely” that former Falcons HC Mike Smith will be the next defensive coordinator of the Raiders.

According to Russini, the Raiders are looking at the college level for their defensive coordinator position.

It appeared as though Smith was in the best position for the Raiders defensive coordinator vacancy, but it looks like they plan on considering all of their options.

Another name to keep an eye on is former Bears DC Mel Tucker, who also has ties to new HC Jack Del Rio.

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According to Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle, new HC Jack Del Rio’s has been in contact with former Falcons HC Mike Smith for week regarding their defensive coordinator position.

However, Tafur mentions that former Bears DC Mel Tucker is also on the Raiders’ “radar” for their defensive-coordinator vacancy.

All indications are the Smith would be the favorite for the job if he’s interested, but it’s worth mentioning that Tucker was also a part of Del Rio’s staff in Jacksonville years ago.

The Bears officially fired Tucker on Tuesday, so he’s now a free agent coach.

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Ian Rapoport reports that the Raiders are expected to interview former Falcons HC Mike Smith for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

Smith has come up as a potential target for the Raiders and their new HC Jack Del Rio seeing has he held the defensive coordinator position while under Del Rio in Jacksonville.

Dianna Marie Russini reports that 49ers assistant Eric Mangini did not interview with the Raiders on Tuesday, and will instead meet with the team on Wednesday.

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Ian Rapoport reports that the 49ers assistant Eric Mangini is slated to interview with the Raiders for their defensive coordinator position.

Mangini was reportedly considered for the Raiders head-coaching job before they ultimately hired Del Rio last week.

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ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (via Bill Williamson) reports that Eagles QB coach Bill Musgrave is a “hot contender” for the Raiders offensive coordinator position.

According to Jason La Canfora, former Bears HC Marc Trestman is being viewed as a “very viable candidate” for the Raiders offensive coordinator job.

La Canfora adds that Broncos OC Adam Gase is unlikely end up with Oakland, despite working with Jack Del Rio for the past few season.

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Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the Raiders are slated to interview former Bears HC Marc Trestman for their offensive coordinator vacancy in the next day or so.

• According to Rapoport, Trestman is one of their “top choices” for the job.

Vic Tafur previously reported that the Raiders hadn’t contacted Trestman regarding the position, but planned to do so at some point in the near future.

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Dianna Marie Russini reports that new Raiders HC Jack Del Rio is trying to hire former Falcons HC Mike Smith as his defensive coordinator.

• However, Russini has been told that this most likely won’t happen.

Steve Corkran first reported that Del Rio’s top choice would likely be Smith seeing as he was Del Rio’s defensive coordinator during the first five seasons he was head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Smith also came up as a potential option for the Giants’ defensive coordinator position before they hired Ravens DBs coach Steve Spagnuolo. 

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ESPN’s Adam Caplan reported that new Raiders HC Jack Del Rio was likely target Mike Tice to be his offensive line coach, even though the Falcons would have to be let him out of his contract.

However, Ian Rapoport is now reporting that the Falcons have denied Oakland permission to speak to Tice regarding their offensive line coach position.

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According to Jeff Darlington, the Raiders offensive coordinator job is Adam Gase’s if he wants it.

Darlington’s tweet is a little unclear, as it’s difficult to decipher whether the job would be his if he wanted it, or whether the opportunity to interview is there if he wants it.  Either way, the interest appears strong.

Gase’s interest around the league has been well documented, most notably with San Francisco, who almost hired him to be their head coach, but ultimately promoted defensive line coach Jim Tomsula.

Gase is still a candidate for the Bears, Broncos and Falcons, but it appears that his best shot at a head coaching gig has passed.

Oakland would be an interesting landing spot, with former Broncos DC Jack Del Rio taking over that team.  They have been heavily linked with former Bears HC Marc Trestman, but Gase would certainly make sense.