Raiders Reportedly Set to Name Lofton Head Coach..and other coaching stuff

http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/chargers/20070116-1653-bn16lofton.htm

Bold choice there. I never saw that one coming

All that'd be left then is Pittsburgh and Miami (unless, of course, San Diego fires Marty or Dungy retires if Indy wins it all)

Russ Grimm is basically a lock for the Steelers job from what I hear. Don't know why they're waiting so long to announce it. I sure hope he gets it.

As for the Dolphins, this one could get interesting. They just made Dom Capers the highest paid assistant coach in the NFL (slightly higher than G. Will). So whoever they hire is either going to be a young pup who doesn't care that he'll be paid less than an assistant, or a big timer. My first thought is they're waiting to see if Schottenheimer is available. But then, with Capers, why hire another defensive guy? A more likely possibility is Dennis Green. He's an offensive guy. Arizona still owes him money so they'd basically pay part of his salary in Miami, and he'd be reunited with Daunte Culpeper.

Good thing you never saw the Lofton hire coming. To do so, you would have had to have had a Vulcan Mind Meld with Al Davis. Just to be clear, that's not a good thing...


I think Pitts is waiting on San Diego. If Marty becomes available, I think he gets an interview in Pittsburgh immediately. Remember, Marty was Bill Cowher's mentor/rabbi in Cowher's early years.


As I understand it, if Green gets a head coaching job in the NFL, then Arizona is off the hook for the back end of his contract so I don't think that Miami can get him on the cheap because Arizona is footing part of the bill.


Can anyone explain to me why Mike Shula is on the Dolphins' list in the first place? Look, if they really want to hire someone named "Shula", bring Don out of retirement. Otherwise, move along here. Both of the Shula kids have been mediocre at best as football coaches so far.

Marty in Pittsburgh makes sense. Except they usually go for a young guy. I say "usually" realizing the irony in that since they've only hired two head coaches in their entire history.

I think Mike Shula is either a red herring (I'm probably not using that phrase right) or if they hire him then he's just filler for a year until someone else (Cowher?) comes along. My guess is if they do hire someone like Shula, then essentially Capers will be the head coach.

Thanks for the info on Green's contract, I didn't realize that. Makes sense

Wow...Lofton? I thought they had a commitment to excellence?? That's not showing it. The raiders are destined to fail with their poor decisions.

TAFKAS, that link you gave said page is expired.

If you are down about the state of the Skins, check out the Raiders.............you'll feel better

the link doesnt work. which lofton are we talking about?

James Lofton...you might remember him, as a wide receiver for all those Bills teams that went to the Super Bowl. He also played on the Packers and the Raiders.

i remember lofton. i wonder what make the raiders deem him head coaching material?

TAFKAS, that link you gave said page is expired.

Sorry. Here you are.

(from the San Diego Tribune)

While the Chargers are dragging their feet regarding the future of their head coach, the team's most hated rival appears ready to fill its head coaching position with a Chargers assistant. Receivers coach James Lofton and the Oakland Raiders are working on details of a contract, sources said Tuesday.

Lofton, 50, who also interviewed with the Raiders after last season, could be named the team's coach as soon as Wednesday. However, one source cautioned, “You never know with these things.”

Lofton is almost certainly concerned about things such as how much control he will have under owner Al Davis and how many of the staffing decisions he will be allowed to make.

Lofton was a finalist for the Stanford head coach's job that went to Jim Harbaugh last month. The Hall of Fame receiver also interviewed with the Buffalo Bills last offseason.

He has been the Chargers' receivers coach since 2002.

Lofton was one stud of a reciever. Boy, was he good. I remember is Packers years more so than the other teams he played for. It never occurred to me that he was head coach material though.

It seems like the Raiders are progressive in hiring or interviewing African-Americans candidates for the head coaching positions. I don't know....

But if they can get that offense to click, they could actually be scary next year.