Oakland Raiders: Jack Del Rio Headlines Group of Interviewees
After losing Jim Harbaugh to the University of Michigan for whatever reason, Raiders owner Mark Davis and GM Reggie McKenzie have had to move on with the search for the next head coach of the Oakland Raiders. Reports today are that the Raiders will interview current interim Head Coach Tony Sparano for the job, along with three current NFL assistants with previous head coaching experience: Eric Mangini of the 49ers, Pat Shurmur of the Eagles, and Jack Del Rio of the Broncos.
Many in the sporting media, especially our counterparts at Deadspin, have commented that this group of names is entirely underwhelming and a sign that Mark Davis “doesn’t get it.” In regards to Mangini and Shurmur – whose combined head coaching records are 42-70 – this assessment is fair. Mangini did have some success with the Jets, leading them to a playoff appearance in his first year, but he and Shurmur combined to lead Cleveland to four consecutive seasons of eleven losses or more. Mangini has spent the past two years coaching Tight Ends on Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers coaching staff, while Shurmur has spent the last two seasons as Chip Kelly’s offensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
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Tony Sparano, as we know, was promoted from his offensive line assistant position after four games and has gone 3-9 as interim Head Coach since. He helped the team to rally for three consecutive home wins over the last six weeks of the season and has the unwavering support of the veteran players on the roster. He was previously head coach of the Miami Dolphins from 2008 until late in the 2011 season, where he had a 29-32 record that included a single playoff appearance. He was also a decorated college head coach, leading Division II New Haven to a 41-14-1 record in his five seasons there in the 1990’s, including two playoff appearances. He spent time as offensive coordinator for Rex Ryan and the Jets before being hired to Dennis Allen’s staff in Oakland before the 2013 season.
But one name stands out from this crowd of re-tread former head coaches that the Raiders have shown interest in so far: current Denver Defensive Coordinator Jack Del Rio. Del Rio has been the Broncos’ defensive coordinator since Dennis Allen was hired away in 2012, and in his three years there the Broncos have twice finished in the top 4 in total defense. Late last year, when head coach John Fox was hospitalized for heart trouble, Del Rio stepped in as interim head coach during a four game stretch, a stretch in which the team went 3-1, with the only loss coming in an overtime stunner on the road against the Patriots.