Since the NFL season ended on Sunday there have been some changes in the ranks so I figured I’d give you a quick rundown.
Len Pasquarelli of ESPN says the Baltimore Ravens have asked for permission to interview four current assistants from other teams. They are Indianapolis assistant head coach Jim Caldwell, Dallas assistant head coach Tony Sparano, Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett and New England offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The four assistants can be interviewed this week because they all have playoff byes but the interviews must be wrapped up by Saturday. They are also expected to interview Rex Ryan, their former defensive coordinator and Buddy’s other son, as well.
Bill Parcells made his first hire by naming Jeff Ireland the new Dolphins GM. Ireland previously worked with Parcells in Dallas where he was the vice president of college and pro scouting. It is expected that he and Parcells will decide the fate of head coach Cam Cameron possibly as soon as Friday. I’d put Cameron’s chance of staying at 30%.
The San Francisco 49ers have decided to retain head coach Mike Nolan but he will no longer have the final say in the personnel decisions. That now belongs to new GM Scott McCloughan who was previously the 49ers head personnel guy. The Niners also fired first year offensive coordinator Jeff Hostler. They are now looking for their 6th offensive coordinator in the last 6 years.
The Cincinnati Bengals fire defensive coordinator Chuck Bresnahan and linebacker’s coach Ricky Hunley. Head coach Marvin Lewis right now is staying but we’ve seen weirder things happen. Lewis is on record ripping into ownership before last weeks season finale.
The Oakland Raiders are expected to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, one of Buddy’s sons, but he is expected to be hired by the New York Jets who are expected to let their defensive coordinator Bob Sutton go. Ryan is a former Patriots defensive assistant who coached with Jets head coach Eric Mangini in New England.
The Kansas City Chiefs dumped four assistant coaches as head coach Herm Edwards makes a play to save his job. Usually when a group of coaches are let go like this it’s a concession by the head coach to management in effort to stay employed. Released were offensive coordinator Mike Solari, offensive line coach John Matsko, receiver’s coach Charlie Joiner and running backs coach James Saxon. The changes in the staff come after GM Carl Peterson announced he is returning for a 20th season. Both Peterson and Edwards are on the hot seat for next season.
It appears that St Louis Rams head coach Scott Linehan is safe for now. He will meet with team president John Shaw next week to discuss the team. Shaw said last month that Linehan was safe and that this season wasn’t a fair test of his ability due to all the injuries the team suffered.
Detroit Lions have dumped former Rams head coach Mike Martz who was the offensive coordinator. According to reports Martz is expected to be hired by San Francisco as its new offensive coordinator shortly.
The San Diego Chargers rewarded GM A.J. Smith with a 5-year contract extension worth $11 million that will keep him in charge until 2014.
