Oakland Raiders intensify new head coach search – NFL News Update
In a new turn to Oakland Raiders’ search for a new head coach, general manager, Reggie McKenzie, has received permission to interview two Broncos’ assistants.
Permission to interview offensive coordinator, Mike McCoy, and defensive coordinator, Dennis Allen, came after the Broncos lost to the New England Patriots last Saturday.
McCoy, who has been with the Broncos' team as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks' coach since 2009, is one of the possible contenders for the Raiders' head coaching slot.
However, McCoy, on Monday, had an interview with Miami Dolphins' owner, Stephen Ross. Therefore, chances are that McCoy may end up as the head coach for the Dolphins but McKenzie still plans to interview him.
McCoy has done a brilliant job this season as he helped the Broncos reach the playoffs and Broncos’ coach, John Fox, did not forget to commend him.
"He's done a tremendous job. He's definitely capable. He's got those abilities", Fox said.
McKenzie had fired former coach, Hue Jackson, on the first day he took over as the general manager of Raiders, as he wanted to bring his own man in.
There is a strong chance that he would probably end up bringing in one of the Green Bay Packers’ assistant with whom he has worked for 18 years.
However, McKenzie plans to interview all available candidates before coming to a final decision.
One of the possible future head coaches appears to be the interim coach of the Miami Dolphins, Todd Bowles. McKenzie has already interviewed Bowles who led his team 2-1, in the last three games, on Friday.
Since the Dolphins do not seem much interested in hiring Bowles, he may end up with the Raiders' team.
Also, the Raiders want an improvement in their failing defence line-up which was very much the reason why they could not reach the playoffs.
Bowles appears to be the suitable candidate in this regard as he is a respected defence specialist, even though McKenzie had stated earlier that the offensive or defensive needs of the team will have no say in the hiring of a new coach.
Among the other candidates are four Green Bay Packers’ assistant coaches, Joe Philbin, Winston Moss, Dom Capers and Tom Clements.
Moss, talking to the associated press, said that he definitely would consider the prospect with Raiders if asked.
"If the Raiders were to call and ask, I'll be ready to speak with them but nothing has changed from last week. I feel good where I'm at. If there's an opportunity that comes up in the future, we'll probably cross that bridge at that time”, Moss said.
Packers' loss to New York Giants last weekend meant that they became available for interview.
McKenzie has made it clear from day one that he wants a change in the organisation and that he plans on developing the team on the Packers’ model, thus making them strong contenders for the head coach position as well.
All this adds to a lot of ambiguity as to which coach McKenzie would finally go for.
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