http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...PGTANL7V91.DTL
Another USC coach visits Davis
David White, Chronicle Staff Writer
Friday, January 19, 2007
Welcome back to the Raiders' coaching search, where the latest twist involved a different Pete Carroll disciple and the next turn could lead up the Bill Belichick tree. Raiders owner Al Davis interviewed USC offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin on Thursday about becoming the next Raiders play caller, one more sign that USC assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian is a primary front-runner to become the team's next head coach. But then, there's the unsettled matter of New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who is being mentioned as someone Davis would love to invite over for a chalkboard session.
The Patriots play the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's AFC Championship Game, meaning McDaniels won't be able to interview until at least next week. So, be patient. This could take awhile after all, which should come as no surprise. With the Raiders, it almost always does, whether they're hiring Art Shell (38-day search), Joe Bugel (37 days) or Norv Turner (27 days). The current search to replace Shell has entered Day No. 15, and Davis has conducted seven interviews.
Head coach candidates are Sarkisian (two interviews), Jim Fassel, Rob Ryan and James Lofton. Kiffin and Marc Trestman were brought in as potential offensive coordinators. In most cases, Davis has handled the majority of the interview time alone in a room with the prospective candidate. That's a departure from past practices to keep multiple high-ranking officials more involved throughout the process. For all anyone knows, there could be a news conference today to introduce Sarkisian as the 16th coach in franchise history. Or, a hire could come during the two-week walkup to Super Bowl XLI.
If McDaniels is the man and the Patriots win Sunday, nothing will happen until after the Feb. 4 title game. Only Davis knows what the next move is, while others are left to make informed guesses based on what they're hearing at Raiders headquarters. Here's what is known about the latest two names to pop up: Both are younger than Sarkisian, who at 32, comes with some questions about his lack of experience as a head coach or offensive coordinator. Kiffin, 31, is the son of Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, a longtime NFL coach. He's been with Carroll at USC since 2001 and was promoted to offensive and recruiting coordinator in 2005. His NFL work experience came in 2000, when he was a defensive quality control coach who helped with the Jacksonville Jaguars secondary. McDaniels, 30, is a first-year offensive coordinator with Belichick, who has a good relationship with Davis.
McDaniels has his own personal ties with Raiders defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who was on the Patriots staff with McDaniels from 2001-03. Kiffin and McDaniels each had immediate success after replacing established coordinators. Kiffin followed Norm Chow at USC and kept together the nation's No. 1 offense in his first year. They were 21st in the NCAA in total offense last season despite losing offensive stars Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush to the NFL. McDaniels was phased in after Charlie Weis left and produced the NFL's seventh-ranked scoring offense this season. Sarkisian and Kiffin could not be reached for comment Thursday. The Raiders do not share information on their coaching search.
