http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2736706

strange twist that left the Oakland Raiders jilted by their first choice to succeed Art Shell, Southern California quarterbacks coach Steve Sarkisian on Friday evening rejected the team's offer to become its next head coach.


League sources who confirmed the move by Sarkisian gave no reason for his decision. The Raiders had offered a contract longer than the two-year deal Shell signed but further details were not available.


The presumptive front-runner for the Oakland vacancy for much of this week, Sarkisian interviewed on Wednesday with team officials for the second time in two weeks. He then flew back to Los Angeles, but returned to the Bay Area on Thursday for another round of interviews.


In fact, the Raiders even interviewed Southern California offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who was Sarkisian's choice to be his No. 1 offensive assistant, on Thursday. That prompted speculation that the club was close to finalizing a deal with Sarkisian.


Sarkisian, 32, served as the Oakland quarterbacks coach in 2004 and, while he has not been a coordinator or head coach, he fit the mold of the kind of coach owner Al Davis has traditionally sought. Davis typically looks for candidates whose expertise is on the offensive side of the ball, and who are young and innovative.


A former Brigham Young quarterback who played three seasons in the CFL (1997-99), Sarkisian has a limited coaching resume. Beyond his two stints at Southern California (2001-2003 and 2005), Sarkisian was on the staff at El Camino (Calf.) Junior College in 2000.


In a related matter, San Diego Chargers wide receivers coach and Hall of Fame member James Lofton, who met earlier this week with Oakland officials, withdrew his name from consideration for the job.


Beyond Sarkisian and Loton, the Raiders have interviewed current Oakland defensive coordinator Rob Ryan and former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel. ESPN.com reported Tuesday that former Arizona Cardinals coach Dennis Green rebuffed overtures from Oakland officials to arrange an interview.


It is not known if Oakland will expand its search now or simply work from the pool of current candidates.

I think its funny that Lofton withdrew his name too.

No one wants that job. It might become Ryan's job by default.

id like to have him in KC.

hahahahahahahahahahahahahahah........

Oh yeah we still have Herm.........Nevermind!

This is better than last year when a College HC turned down Al. Now he's getting turned down by College Assistants. I don't think he'll hire Rob Ryan because he's a Defensive Coach. Al likes Offensive Coaches.

If he ends up with no candidates in February like last year he might be forced to bring back an old coach again. Mike White, Joe Bugel?

There are a bunch of retreads out there like Chan Gailey.

Sarkisian's current job is better than the one Oakland offered ROFL

I wonder how alienated that guy has to be, Al is getting turned down by college assistants, meanwhile he's got their defense playing respectable football and can't get a sniff.

Stealing the lyrics from Meatloaf's .... I would do anything for Money, But I won't do that ..............

Most fingers point towards Ami Trask taking over general operations.
At least thats the impression I've gotten over the last few years.
Knowing Al, being major shareholder (and some sources claijm "Owner" of the team") the fugwad will probably have it in his will to close the franchise.

Isn't Jimmy Raye still available?

He seems like Al's kind of dumbass to take over the team.

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Bum Phillips

is he still alive, or at least undead?

Is that undead like not completely dead or is it compared to Al Davis undead?

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