Saunders to interview with Raiders

tk13 · 01-11-2006, 05:25 PM

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...ed=rss.raiders

Saunders on Raiders' menu
Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer

Wednesday, January 11, 2006

More than a week after dismissing Norv Turner, the Raiders have yet to formally interview a single candidate. That might change later this week when Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders -- a longtime favorite of owner Al Davis -- is expected to pay a visit to Alameda.

Saunders, 58, whom Davis considered to replace Jon Gruden before settling on Bill Callahan as his head coach in 2003, is highly regarded as the architect for a Chiefs offense that has led the NFL in touchdowns and total yards the past five seasons.

He has Bay Area ties, having gotten his B.A. from San Jose State in 1969 and his M.A. from Stanford in 1970. He was an assistant coach at Cal for six seasons (1976-81). Saunders succeeded Don Coryell as the Chargers' head coach in October 1986 but was fired in December 1988 after going 17-22.

Saunders' candidacy has become hotter in NFL circles after Kansas City struck a deal with the New York Jets to land Herman Edwards, who was signed to a $12 million contract. But Chiefs quarterback Trent Green is pressuring general manager Carl Peterson to retain Saunders.

Saunders also is expected to interview for the head-coaching vacancy in Detroit as well as for Edwards' former job with the Jets.

Fresno State coach Pat Hill -- who interviewed for the Houston Texans' vacancy on Monday and is scheduled to interview with St. Louis and New Orleans -- remains a top candidate for the Raiders' job, though no interview has been scheduled.

Before hiring any coach, the Raiders first must interview at least one minority candidate to comply with NFL guidelines, or face a hefty fine. The Detroit Lions were fined $200,000 in 2003 for hiring Steve Mariucci and failing to following the league's minority-hiring policy.

01-11-2006, 05:25 PM	Topic Starter
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $532500	Saunders to interview with Raiders http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...ed=rss.raiders Saunders on Raiders' menu Nancy Gay, Chronicle Staff Writer Wednesday, January 11, 2006 More than a week after dismissing Norv Turner, the Raiders have yet to formally interview a single candidate. That might change later this week when Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders -- a longtime favorite of owner Al Davis -- is expected to pay a visit to Alameda. Saunders, 58, whom Davis considered to replace Jon Gruden before settling on Bill Callahan as his head coach in 2003, is highly regarded as the architect for a Chiefs offense that has led the NFL in touchdowns and total yards the past five seasons. He has Bay Area ties, having gotten his B.A. from San Jose State in 1969 and his M.A. from Stanford in 1970. He was an assistant coach at Cal for six seasons (1976-81). Saunders succeeded Don Coryell as the Chargers' head coach in October 1986 but was fired in December 1988 after going 17-22. Saunders' candidacy has become hotter in NFL circles after Kansas City struck a deal with the New York Jets to land Herman Edwards, who was signed to a $12 million contract. But Chiefs quarterback Trent Green is pressuring general manager Carl Peterson to retain Saunders. Saunders also is expected to interview for the head-coaching vacancy in Detroit as well as for Edwards' former job with the Jets. Fresno State coach Pat Hill -- who interviewed for the Houston Texans' vacancy on Monday and is scheduled to interview with St. Louis and New Orleans -- remains a top candidate for the Raiders' job, though no interview has been scheduled. Before hiring any coach, the Raiders first must interview at least one minority candidate to comply with NFL guidelines, or face a hefty fine. The Detroit Lions were fined $200,000 in 2003 for hiring Steve Mariucci and failing to following the league's minority-hiring policy.
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