Oakland Raiders hire Al Saunders as offensive coordinator
One day after interviewing Al Saunders for the offensive coordinator post, the Oakland Raiders have hired him for the job, according to sources.
The former head coach, coordinator and, most recently, consultant to the Baltimore Ravens, has been interviewed as head coach of the Raiders in the past. Saunders is a perfect match with the Raiders’ new head coach, Hue Jackson, and 81 year old owner Al
Davis, as far as philosophies go. League sources had previously expressed their certainty that the team will hire Saunders for one position or another.
Ravens head coach John Harbaugh allowed the Raiders to talk to Saunders because he did not want to deny an opportunity to do better to anyone.
Saunders had been an offensive consultant to the Ravens for the past two seasons, working with Jackson during the 2009 season. Jackson left Baltimore to join the Raiders as their offensive coordinator and was then promoted to the head coaching job after
their previous head coach, Tom Cable, was not optioned for the extra year on his contract.
Saunders began his professional career as receivers coach for the San Diego Chargers in 1983. He was later promoted to the head coach position for some parts of three seasons and had a 17-22 record.
Saunders has been offensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams and the Kansas City Chiefs, while also spending time as the assistant head coach for the Washington Redskins. During his two year stint with the ‘Skins, Saunders worked closely with the current
quarterback for the Raiders, Jason Campbell. The first time that Saunders was with the Rams as receivers coach and assistant head coach, the team won the Super Bowl.
The offensive coordinator slot is just one of the numerous that the Raiders still have to find suitable candidates for. Before Saunders, there were only two other assistants that were hired under a contract. One is Mike Waufle who has been hired as defensive
lines coach. The other is ex-United Football League assistant head coach Kevin Ross, who has been hired as defensive backs assistant coach. Waufle had been defensive lines coach for five years until 2003 and has now been hired again for the same position.
Kevin Ross had previously been quality control and secondary coach with the Chargers.
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