Wile_E_Coyote
01-31-2008, 11:25 AM
Source: Raiders' Kiffin not in on Lofton's hiring
Coach reportedly hears about it from a third party not affiliated with team
By Jerry McDonald STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 01/31/2008 03:08:48 AM PST
http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_8127733?nclick_check=1
James Lofton has agreed to terms to join the Raiders offensive staff, news that came as a surprise to coach Lane Kiffin.
According to a team source, Kiffin was told by a third party not affiliated with the club that Lofton was coming aboard.
Kiffin met with Lofton on Monday after his return from Mobile, Ala., in an interview senior executive John Herrera described as "excellent."
Herrera said Wednesday there were no announcements regarding team business. The Raiders seldom make announcements until contracts are actually signed.
According to the team source who preferred to remain anonymous, Kiffin neither extended a job offer to Lofton nor was he ever told by owner Al Davis or anyone in the front office that an offer had been made.
Except for Senior Bowl business, Kiffin has declined comment on any matters pertaining to the Raiders that have transpired since the end of the regular season and could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
Rumors were rampant at the Senior Bowl that Kiffin was asked to resign by Davis and that his authority on personnel and coaching staff hires had been stripped, reports Herrera denied.
Lofton's most likely position is wide receivers coach. That position was filled by Charles Coe, who came to the Raiders in 2007 from Alabama State, where he had been head coach.
Following San Diego's playoff loss to New England, Lofton was unexpectedly fired by Chargers coach Norv Turner. He interviewed for the head coaching job with the Raiders twice -- once when coach Art Shell was hired and again when Kiffin came aboard.
Hiring Lofton without Kiffin's knowledge is significant in that Davis gave the 32-year-old coach the latitude to remake the entire offensive staff after Oakland scored just 12 touchdowns on offense in 16 games the previous season.
Following a 2-14 season, not a single offensive staff member remained, with Kiffin hiring an entirely new staff with Davis' final approval.
Coach reportedly hears about it from a third party not affiliated with team
By Jerry McDonald STAFF WRITER
Article Launched: 01/31/2008 03:08:48 AM PST
http://www.contracostatimes.com/raiders/ci_8127733?nclick_check=1
James Lofton has agreed to terms to join the Raiders offensive staff, news that came as a surprise to coach Lane Kiffin.
According to a team source, Kiffin was told by a third party not affiliated with the club that Lofton was coming aboard.
Kiffin met with Lofton on Monday after his return from Mobile, Ala., in an interview senior executive John Herrera described as "excellent."
Herrera said Wednesday there were no announcements regarding team business. The Raiders seldom make announcements until contracts are actually signed.
According to the team source who preferred to remain anonymous, Kiffin neither extended a job offer to Lofton nor was he ever told by owner Al Davis or anyone in the front office that an offer had been made.
Except for Senior Bowl business, Kiffin has declined comment on any matters pertaining to the Raiders that have transpired since the end of the regular season and could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.
Rumors were rampant at the Senior Bowl that Kiffin was asked to resign by Davis and that his authority on personnel and coaching staff hires had been stripped, reports Herrera denied.
Lofton's most likely position is wide receivers coach. That position was filled by Charles Coe, who came to the Raiders in 2007 from Alabama State, where he had been head coach.
Following San Diego's playoff loss to New England, Lofton was unexpectedly fired by Chargers coach Norv Turner. He interviewed for the head coaching job with the Raiders twice -- once when coach Art Shell was hired and again when Kiffin came aboard.
Hiring Lofton without Kiffin's knowledge is significant in that Davis gave the 32-year-old coach the latitude to remake the entire offensive staff after Oakland scored just 12 touchdowns on offense in 16 games the previous season.
Following a 2-14 season, not a single offensive staff member remained, with Kiffin hiring an entirely new staff with Davis' final approval.