Raiders HC Rumors

Update:

Dianna Marie Russini report that the Raiders head coaching job is a “shootout” between GM Reggie McKenzie and owner Mark Davis.

According to Russini’s sources, McKenzie’s preference is to keep interim HC Tony Sparano in place for the 2015 season while David would prefer to hire Broncos DC Jack Del Rio.

Russini assumes Davis will eventually come out on top in this disagreement since he owns the team.

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Steve Corkran reports that if the Raiders were to hire Broncos DC Jack Del Rio as their next head coach, his top choice for defensive coordinator would be former Falcons HC Mike Smith.

• Corkran mentions that Smith was Del Rio’s defensive coordinator during the first five seasons he was head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Previous reports have mentioned that Del Rio and interim HC Tony Sparano were the two finalists for the job, but there is still time for others to enter the mix.

The full list of candidates for the Raiders’ position includes:

• Broncos DC Jack Del Rio (interviewed)
• Interim HC  Tony Sparano (interviewed)
• Seahawks OC Darrell Bevel (interviewed)
• Colts OC Pep Hamilton
• Former Redskins HC Mike Shanahan (interviewed)
• Cowboys passing game coordinator Scott Linehan
• 49ers TE coach Eric Mangini (interviewed)
• Eagles OC Pat Shurmur (interviewed)

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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Broncos DC Jack Del Rio is traveling to Oakland Monday night for his second head-coaching interview with the Raiders.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders inquired with Broncos last week to see if they could interview defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio for a second, but were told rules wouldn’t allow it.

However, with the Broncos being eliminated from the playoffs, the Raiders are expected to try an meet with Del Rio a second time this week, according to Schefter.

Dianna Marie Russini reported on Sunday that the Raiders head-coaching search is down to either Del Rio or interim HC Tony Sparano.

• Russini adds that a final decision is close to being made.

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Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports that there is a “school of thought” within some league circles that  Broncos DC Jack Del Rio has a “real shot” at landing the Raiders head-coaching vacancy.

There has been some talk in recent days that Oakland could bring Tony Sparano back for another season and keep Reggie McKenzie in place as GM.

However, a league source tells Florio that Raiders owner Mark Davis “loves” Del Rio.

The Broncos are still in the playoffs, so Oakland would need to wait until they are eliminated before he can be hired. Depending on how things go in the playoffs, that could be another three weeks.

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Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News offers his best guess at what the Raiders will do in regards to their head-coaching search, which is bringing back Tony Sparano as their head coach for the 2015 season and keep Reggie McKenzie in place as their GM.

Kawakami mentions a a few NFL executives believe owner Mark Davis would have parted ways with McKenzie had a coaching candidate been extremely impressive and demanded they hire a new GM. However, Davis has preferred to keep McKenzie in place all along.

According to Kawakami, keeping Sparano in place as the team’s head coach is likely an indication that coaching candidates aren’t interested in working with McKenzie.

Assuming Davis is, in fact, committed to keeping McKenzie for another year, it may not be the worst idea to keep Sparano, and prepare for a complete house cleaning next year if there aren’t major signs of improvement.

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According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, the Raiders are looking to hire an established head coach such as Mike Shanahan, who happens to have both a great deal of experience and a winning record.

However, sources tell Cole that the structure of Oakland’s front office is scaring off of their head-coaching candidates.

• Cole mentions that everything from the how the team handles college scouting to their day-to-day matters is of “great concern” to candidates.
• Cole still expects them to find a “desperate” coach willing to take the job, but their current front office structure is likely to play a big role in who ultimately accepts the position.

This comes after multiple reports have said Cardinals DC Todd Bowles is no longer considering the Raiders position and has moved on to other opportunities.

The Raiders appears to be set on bringing GM Reggie McKenzie back for another, which could also factor into the team’s ability to lure some head coaches to Oakland.

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Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee reports that Cardinals DC Todd Bowles has taken the Oakland Raiders off the list of head-coaching jobs he’s considering.

• Barows adds that Bowles is scheduled to meet with 49ers in Santa Clara on Friday.

This coincides with a report from Vic Tafur that mentioned although the Raiders had interest in Bowles, they were essentially told to get in line behind Jets, Falcons, 49ers and Bears.

• According to Tafur, Oakland hasn’t ruled out waiting for Broncos DC Jack Del Rio or an opportunity to speak with Bowles. Tafur admits he’s not holding his breath about regarding scenario.
• Tafur adds that interim HC Tony Sparano will meet with Raiders owner Mark Davis again on Wednesday afternoon regarding their head-coaching job.

Davis appears to be moving quickly to find their next head coach, so that they will have a better shot at landing assistant coaches.

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According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, the Raiders are interviewing interim HC Tony Sparano for their head-coaching vacancy Wednesday.

• Rapoport adds that the Raiders are “moving quickly” regarding the process of finding a new head coach.

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According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie interviewed Colts OC Pep Hamilton in Indianapolis Sunday night.

• Ian Rapoport clarifies that McKenzie did speak to Hamilton on Sunday, but did not conduct a formal interview.

Josina Anderson reports that Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie “came away impressed” after his meeting with Hamilton Sunday evening.

Sources tell Anderson that McKenzie wasn’t familiar with Hamilton prior to the meeting, but he apparently sees potential in the idea of Hamilton helping to develop quarterback Derek Carr.

This is just hours after the team beat the Cincinnati Bengals to advance to the Divisional round of the playoffs.

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Vic Tafur reports that Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie did not travel with team owner Mark Davis to interview Broncos DC Jack Del Rio for their head-coaching vacancy this past weekend.

• Tafur adds that Oakland could hire a new head coach by this Friday, as long as they satisfy the Rooney Rule requirements to interview a minority candidate for the position.

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Dianna Marie Russini reports that the Raiders interviewed former Redskins HC Mike Shanahan for their head-coaching vacancy.

• ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirms that Shanahan interviewed for the Raiders job and adds that he met with Raiders owner Mark Davis and team officials.
• Shanahan has reportedly interviewed with the 49ers and has come up as a potential option for the Bills as well.

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Ian Rapoport reports that the Raiders are willing to wait for Colts OC Pep Hamilton to be available. As of now, the time window for the two parties to meet is too limited and there are logistical challenges this week.

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ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the Raiders have requested permission to interview Cowboys passing game coordinator Scott Linehan.

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Scott Bair of CSN Bay Area reports that the Raiders are expected to interview Cardinals DC Todd Bowles at some point next week.

Earlier in the day, Ian Rapoport reported that it wouldn’t be surprising to see him take a low-key job like the Raiders or Falcons.

Bowles has found a lot of interest in the past weeks, so I’m sure more interviews will scheduled for next week.

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The Raiders are trying to interview Broncos DC Jack Del Rio for their head-coaching vacancy at some point Saturday, according to Mike Klis of the Denver Post.

• The meeting is expected to take place in Denver.

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Ben Volin reports that Eagles OC Pat Shurmur interviewed for the Raiders’ head-coaching vacancy on Friday.

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Trey Wingo of ESPN reports that 49ers assistant Eric Mangini will meet with the Raiders on Monday regarding their head-coaching position.

It’s been four years since Mangini was fired by the Browns.

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Seahawks HC Pete Carroll mentioned during an interview with Sirius XM NFL Radio that offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell has already interviewed with the Oakland Raiders for their head coaching vacancy.

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Josina Anderson of ESPN reports that the Raiders have requested permission to interview Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton.

This is the first reported interest in Hamilton, even though there had been some talk that he could be a sought after coaching candidate.

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Tim McManus of Philly Mag reports that the Eagles have granted the Raiders permission to speak with offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur for their head coaching vacancy.

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Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports that the Oakland Raiders will interview 49ers assistant Eric Mangini for their head-coaching job.

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Raiders owner Mark Davis tells Tim Kawakami that he spoke to Jim Harbaugh recently. However, Harbaugh is doing “something else,” according to Kawakami.

Davis confirmed that he’ll interview interim HC Tony Sparano for the job, but did not say he’s done speaking to Harbaugh’s reps about coaching the Raiders, according Ian Rapoport.

As for GM Reggie McKenzie’s future, Davis said: “Every day is a new day. But I’ve never had a problem with Reggie,” per Kawakami.

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Ian Rapoport reports that Broncos DC Jack Del Rio is expected to receive “significant interest” from the Raiders regarding their head coaching vacancy.

• Rapoport mentions that Raiders owner Mark Davis actually sought Del Rio out for a hello on the field yesterday.
• Beyond that, Rapoport mentions that Del Rio a local product for the Raiders, and his parents are actually season-ticket holders.

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Jeff Darlington of the NFL Network reports that the interim HC Tony Sparano is “squarely in the mix” for the Raiders’ job now that Jim Harbaugh is taking the University of Michigan job.

Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports previously reported that were Raiders were “truly in the mix” to sign Harbaugh as their new head coach.

“Jim was their first choice,” said Garafolo’s source. “(The Raiders) are disappointed.”

Jason La Canfora expects Broncos DC Jack Del Rio to emerge as a candidate for the Raiders’ head coaching job.

Other speculative options for the Raiders could include Cardinals DC Todd Bowles and former Jets HC Rex Ryan among others.

We’ll have more updates posted here regarding the Raiders head coaching vacancy.