OAKLAND, Calif. – Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie said upon arrival in Mobile, Ala., for the Senior Bowl that he could have a head coach in place by the end of the week.
“It could happen by Saturday,” McKenzie told CSN-Bay Area on Monday.
ESPN is reporting that while in Mobile for Saturday’s all-star game, McKenzie will have a second interview with Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Allen is believed to be the first candidate to get a second interview.
McKenzie did not confirm or deny any candidates reported by various media outlets. Regarding an NFL Network report that an interview with Green Bay Packers assistant Winston Moss did not go well, McKenzie said, “That’s far from the truth.”
Among the candidates whom McKenzie has reportedly either talked to or plans to talk to include former Miami Dolphins interim coach Todd Bowles and Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.
Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Tice had been scheduled to meet with McKenzie in Mobile, but the Bears told The Associated Press on Monday that the interview won’t take place.
Eight scouts made the trip to Mobile to evaluate talent, McKenzie said. He said he is still evaluating the current staff, and “I’m not in a hurry to hire and fire, at all.”
Current coaches, those under contract and those whose contracts have expired, will be retained or dismissed at the discretion of the new head coach, McKenzie said.
Two assistants have already found other jobs – defensive line coach Mike Waufle (St. Louis Rams) and wide receivers coach Sanjay Lal (New York Jets).
The names and biographies of all remaining assistant coaches were removed from the club’s website.
