Post by theultimatekcchiefsfan on Jan 4, 2006 18:32:59 GMT -5
Carl’s last coach?
Chiefs show interest in Fassel as hot list becomes one shorter
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star
One of the candidates to be the Chiefs’ next head coach came off the job market Tuesday. A second was interviewing elsewhere, while a third was apparently on hold.
Still, the process to replace thingy Vermeil appeared to be advancing. Baltimore general manager Ozzie Newsome said he had granted Chiefs president/general manager Carl Peterson permission to speak with Ravens offensive coordinator Jim Fassel, and Newsome thought the two were meeting Tuesday night.
Fassel is the former head coach of the New York Giants. He coached the Giants to the Super Bowl after the 2000 season. He spent the last two seasons with the Ravens.
Meanwhile, Washington defensive coordinator Gregg Williams agreed to a contract extension, effectively removing himself as a candidate for the Chiefs and other teams. The Chiefs had tried Monday to set up an interview with Williams for next week.
Peterson also indicated for the first time that his most recent contract extension would be his last and that he hoped he wouldn’t have to hire yet another coach after this one.
“When Lamar (Hunt) and Clark (Hunt) asked me last year to re-up for another four years starting this February, I said, ‘This will be the last ride for me,’ ” Peterson said. “I’ve been here a long time and love it. I’ve got the best ownership in the National Football League. But I would like to think this next head football coach is going to be here longer than (me).”
Chiefs offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who had interviewed with Peterson on Monday, was in Minnesota meeting with the Vikings about their vacant head-coaching job. The Chiefs had yet to ask the Jets for permission to speak with their head coach, Herman Edwards.
“Officially, I haven’t received a phone call from Kansas City, and I’m not expecting one right now,” Jets general manager Terry Bradway said on his radio show on Tuesday in New York.
Other candidates appeared to include former Cleveland coach Butch Davis and two offensive coordinators, San Diego’s Cam Cameron and Denver’s Gary Kubiak.
Davis, fired by the Browns in the 2004 season, issued a statement through the NFL Network that he was interested in getting back into coaching. Davis has been an analyst for the network.
Peterson wouldn’t confirm or deny any candidates at Vermeil’s farewell news conference. He did acknowledge meeting Monday with Saunders.
“I thought it went well,” Peterson said. “I told him it’s the beginning of an interview. It was a lot less formal than formal. One of the reasons is that I’ve known Al since 1974.
“There are some very talented candidates out there that I want to talk to. I owe that to the Lamar Hunt family. Al is certainly a candidate and a consideration. I know Al. I know his strengths and weaknesses. We had a very good interview that’s not concluded. Al needs to also pursue some opportunities specific to interviews he has. And then there are other considerations. It’s more than just the offensive side of the football.”
Saunders was scheduled to interview Thursday with the Houston Texans.
